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Journalism of Courage
NAGPUR, MARCH 11: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) under the hardliner, K S Sudarshan, fired its first salvo by asking the Vajpayee government to drop his economic advisors. It seems that the new sarsanghachalak is determined to force the Vajpayee government to change its economic direction.
Sudarshan, who was believed to be responsible for removing flamboyant bureaucrats Montek Singh Ahluwalia and N K Singh from the finance ministry, is now insisting that only economists with concern for common people should be included in the advisory panel.
According to him, the present economic advisors must go and be replaced with those who have the swadeshi concept of economy at heart. In his maiden press conference held here on Saturday evening, Sudarshan even named one Bharat Jhunjhunwala, reportedly a pro-RSS thinker and economist, for inclusion in the panel. He also suggested that some Gandhians could be associated with the economic decision process.
The RSS circles here feel that this is an indication that the sangh under Sudarshan will be much less accommodating of Vajpayee’s policies. The RSS, which is concerned about decreasing of attendance in shakhas, may likely adopt a hardline by raising the economic issue and unemployment to lure youths in the country.
It is also likely to change its general secretary in the Pratinidhi Sabha and name of Mohan Bhagwat is figured prominently for the post, relieving H V Sheshadri, who is not keeping well. If so, Suresh Ketkar, one of the joint general secretaries would be given the job of co-ordinator of all frontal organisations. Earlier, Sudharshan used to coordinate all the frontal organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party. Incidentally, both Bhagwat and Ketkar are known hardliners in the organisation.
The chief of the organisation felt that policies of the government should have as their basic thrust combating hunger and unemployment. This policy formulation should necessarily involve the interests of the farmers, artists and small-scale industries, who constitute three-fourths of the economic activity, just as it involves the larger industries.
He took a strong exception over the Vajpayee government’s decision to privatise the insurance and banking sectors. He demanded that the government should convene a round-table conference of all concerned economic groups in the country for strengthening the economic sovereignty.
According to RSS sources, the new chief is likely to appoint a high-power committee under the chairmanship of veteran Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) leader, Dattopant Thengdi, which would negotiate henceforth with the government on the issue. Among the members likely to be nominated in the committee are: Jhunjhunwala and Swadeshi Jagran Manch activist, S Gurumurthy.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha today came out with a formal resolution, criticising the Vajpayee government for its liberalisation policy.
