RSS made us defer power stir: BKS

The BJP high command may have managed to check the revolt against Gujarat CM Narender Modi, but the farmers’ wing of the RSS — Bha...

The BJP high command may have managed to check the revolt against Gujarat CM Narender Modi, but the farmers’ wing of the RSS — Bharatiya Kisan Sangh — has vowed to take its fight against him to a conclusive end.

BKS president Kunwarji Bhai Jadhav said the unit has suspended its agitation against power tariff hike under pressure from the Sangh ‘‘only as a matter of strategy’’. However, he said they would resume the stir and persist with it till the hike is withdrawn. When asked if he expected Modi to relent, Jadhav said: ‘‘No. He has a big ego. He thinks he is the only shoorveer around.’’

When asked about the fallout of this showdown between Modi and BKS, Jadhav said: ‘‘We have told the BJP — you would suffer. We would also suffer.’’ He said the BJP would have made a clean sweep of the 26 Lok Sabha seats from Gujarat ‘‘had the Chief Minister been friends with us’’. The BJP, which was only seven seats behind the Congress in the state, would have overtaken the ruling party only if BKS had co-operated with Modi, he said.

Story continues below this ad

Jadhav added though they owed allegiance to the RSS, they could not sacrifice the interests of farmers to the ‘‘arrogance of this man (Modi)’’.

RSS pracharak’ and co-founder of BKS Laljibhai Patel had gone a fast unto death to press the demand during January this year. The then law minister, Arun Jaitley, had negotiated a ceasefire agreement which got the BKS one concession — tariff reduction of Rs 50 per hp.

When asked about dissidence in the BJP legislature party, the BKS chief said: ‘‘Its single cause is Modi and his ahankaar. He thinks no worker like us made any contribution and he alone got the BJP 127 seats in Assembly polls.’’

Former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel today conceded there was ‘‘some disenchantment’’ over state government policies towards farmers. When asked about complaints against Modi’s style of working, Patel said: ‘‘Yes, there was some problem over this. There should be some change in it.’’

Disquiet in film board: ‘Censorship raj’, no meeting in 6 years, no reports, term lapsed

1 hr ago

A controversial decision-making process has set off divisions within the CBFC, and cast a long regulatory shadow on the Indian film industry as it aspires to be a global player. The Indian Express spoke to several top filmmakers and board members to find that a not-so-silent storm is brewing within the fraternity — and inside the CBFC, too — over what many call a “one-man show”.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS