RSS meet in Dharwad to set tone for poll season

The karyakarini, or executive, of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will discuss the current political and social situation in the country at a meet in Dharwad, Karnataka from November 1. Around 350 full-time RSS leaders are expected to participate in the meeting scheduled just before the Gujarat Assembly elections and a possible mid-term general election. BJP President Rajnath Singh and Organisational Secretary Ram Lal will also be present.

The RSS meeting, mandated primarily to discuss organisational issues, is of significance to the BJP due to the ongoing debate within the Sangh Parivar on the extent of RSS role in BJP’s affairs. This is also the first RSS executive after relations between it and the BJP improved in recent months.

The bitterness that followed L K Advani’s Jinnah speech has now subsided. In fact, the RSS leadership was warm towards Advani at a recent Parivar brainstorming session in Mumbai. Since it is the biggest gathering of its key pracharaks, the meeting is likely to evolve clarity on the political direction of the Parivar in the coming year.

The foundation day speech of the RSS chief in Nagpur on October 20 will also set the tone for the election season. The written speech is finalised after consultation among top leaders of the Sangh.