Rebound RSS

Celebrations were on in full swing at the BJP headquarters here and in Ahmedabad today. But behind the joy at the landslide victory in Gujar...

Celebrations were on in full swing at the BJP headquarters here and in Ahmedabad today. But behind the joy at the landslide victory in Gujarat, there is a worry that is eating into the party leadership.

Besides enthusing the party rank and file disappointed by a series of electoral defeats, the victory has also provided fresh self-confidence to the Sangh Parivar. The RSS-VHP combine is convinced that the results show it has the support of both the masses and the rank and file and may now demand a larger say in how the BJP government functions.

8216;This verdict is an expression of anger against a campaign of slander by our opponents that all elements that run Gujarat 8212; administration, police and Chief Minister 8212; are rotten8217;

The reactions of VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia and RSS spokesman Ram Madhav point at this new-gained confidence. The coming days could see pressure from the Parivar build up.

The RSS has been demanding that the Vajpayee Government deliver on its pet issues 8216;8216;action to combat terrorism, Ayodhya, swadeshi, cow protection and an anti-conversion legislation8217;8217;. But the BJP leadership would rather have a peaceful tenure than court a major political or legal wrangle.

So far, the RSS and VHP have also chosen to play safe, hitting at the BJP leadership and then quickly retracting. RSS sarsangchalak K.S. Sudarshan attacked Vajpayee8217;s Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and other bureaucrats recently, and in the next moment, agreed to a ceasefire.

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav today said the poll results imply that 8216;8216;people are strongly in favour of nationalism and nationalist forces8217;8217;. Claming that a major chunk of minorities were Hindus, he said: 8216;8216; The philosophy of Hindu religion is that each individual tries to reach god through different methods.8217;8217;

8216;8216;We look at this mandate as a lesson for the Opposition, a section of the media, the pseudo-secular lobby as well as the ruling BJP,8217;8217; he added.

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8216;8216;Firstly, it BJP has to identify itself with nationalism. Secondly, the Parivar has to be united if it has to deliver. The cadre of all Sangh Parivar organisations joined hands in Gujarat to work for the victory of nationalism. And it has paid.8217;8217;

BJP leaders in New Delhi, too, offered strong sound bites brandishing the Gujarat verdict. 8216;8216;It8217;s a victory of nationalist forces.8217;8217; declared BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Party general secretary Arun Jaitley denied that the recent riots helped the party. 8216;8216;I think the people of Gujarat strongly reacted to the negative campaign by the Congress8230;The Election Commission also needs an introspection.8217;8217; he said.

Buoyed by the BJP8217;s impressive victory, Union Minister Uma Bharti said: 8216;8216;The time has come for Congress to change its leadership.8217;8217;