Now, RSS turns up heat on Nitish

The ideological war between the RSS and the JD(U) over Nitish Kumar’s advocacy of reservations for Dalit converts intensified today wit...

The ideological war between the RSS and the JD(U) over Nitish Kumar’s advocacy of reservations for Dalit converts intensified today with RSS spokesman Ram Madhav coming out openly against the Bihar leader.

RSS mouthpiece Organiser had attacked Kumar’s formulation in its latest editorial and Madhav today ‘‘fully’’ endorsed the view. ‘‘Those who demand reservation for converts to Christianity and Islam are in reality the enemies of the interests of Dalits. This demand is a conspiracy to snatch away the benefits extended to dalits by our Constitution,’’ he said.

In Lok Sabha last week, Kumar had said that ‘‘changing one’s religion does not change one’s caste’’. He had made it clear that his party had fundamental differences with the BJP on ideological issues despite alliance.

Story continues below this ad

The BJP, however, has tried to keep out of this war of words, not least because the party needs the JD(U) in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections where Nitish Kumar will be projected as the combine’s CM candidate.

However, strains are likely to develop between the BJP and JD(U) if the RSS persists in attacking Kumar and makes the BJP fall in line.

With the Monsoon Session coming to an end, RSS-BJP ties—under strain —are likely to again come under the scanner.

Ahead of the BJP’s national executive meeting from September 16-18, Advani is trying to consolidate his position to stave off any threat to his leadership, sources indicated.

EXCLUSIVE: EC brings in feature to check misuse of identity to seek voter list deletions

Political Pulse3 hr ago

The Election Commission has launched a new 'e-sign' feature on its portal and app to prevent fraud. This comes after allegations of misuse of online voter deletion forms in Karnataka. The feature requires voters to verify their identity using their Aadhaar-linked phone numbers, reducing the possibility of fraud.

View all shorts

Live Blog