RSS to BJP: Ideology first, person last

The big bosses were tight-lipped, even on the second day of the meeting. However, according to senior pracharaks from Ahmedabad who attended the meeting, the RSS is talking straight to the BJP. ‘‘We want to make it very clear to the BJP that the individual comes last. Ideology will always come first, and the organisation follows,’’ said a senior pracharak attending the meeting. ‘‘The RSS resents this new trend of party leaders attacking the RSS for their personal gains. This was discussed today. These leaders have risen from the ranks of the organisation and they should remember that before criticising it. Another concern is the erosion of ideology and the fall in number of followers.’’

Other sources said that Advani’s remarks on Jinnah and the controversy that followed were discussed at the meeting.

‘‘The entire episode has set the RSS thinking. This meeting will chalk out a strategy to remind the BJP that the RSS is still its backbone and that it won’t compromise on ideology over an individual,’’ another leader said.

They said policy decisions taken at the meeting would be discussed at a BJP national executive meeting in Delhi.

Sources also said that pracharaks, involved in the fieldwork of spreading the RSS ideology, were facing difficult questions from the people. Proportionately, fewer people were joining the Sangh or attending shakhas, and this was a matter of concern.

Among those who attended the meeting were RSS top brass K. Sudarshan, Mohan Bhagwat, Madan Dass Devi, Dattasaheb Hosbole; Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general-secretary Pravin Togadia and president Ashok Singhal; Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad leaders Sunil Ambekar and Atul Kothari; and leaders of the Sangh organisations like Sahitya Kalyan Parishad, Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Vidya Bharati, and Bajrang Dal.

Among the special invitees on Sunday were former union minister and BJP MP Kashiram Rana, state water resources minister Narottam Patel, city BJP president Kishore Vankawala, and BJP MLA Bhavna Chapatwala.

Emerging from Eklavya Bhavan, Rana told reporters: ‘‘I had been invited for lunch. The meeting is on and I can’t comment on that. There’s no secrecy. Each and every thing that they discuss will be made public at a press conference.’’

Advani to Mahavir

New Delhi: Responding to attack by RSS veteran Bhai Mahavir, BJP president L.K. Advani has written to the former Governor, explaining the context of his remarks on Pakistan founder Mohd Ali Jinnah.

Advani said his remarks were in reference to the Pakistan founder’s statement on August 11, 1947, in the Constituent Assembly. Advani added he had just commented on how Jinnah visualised equality of religions in Pakistan which did not happen.