Modi supports Swami146;s call for Hindutva unity

On Wednesday, BJP president Rajnath Singh had said that the swami8217;s suggestions were very 8220;relevant8221; and that the party would discuss it at the highest level. Sources from the BJP said that Modi had sought the swami8217;s intervention as any parallel Hindutva platform would only bolster the rebels.

Meanwhile, Modi got another pat on the back on Wednesday from senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal who said at the central meeting here that it was necessary to defeat the 8220;pseudo-secular8221; and 8220;anti-national8221; forces in Gujarat for the development of the state. Singhal also said that he was confident Modi would manage to do it.

VHP members have been unhappy with Modi8217;s autocratic way and his perceived softening on the Hindutva agenda. In fact, VHP general secretary Praveen Togadia had earlier gone to the extent of saying that the VHP will not help Modi in the election campaign.

Swami Visweshwar8217;s timely interventions, the possibility of Bharati8217;s return to the BJP, and Ashok Singhal8217;s timely pat couldn8217;t have come at a better time for Modi. With campaigning just about to surge full steam ahead, a combined Hindutva force can only be good news for Modi.