The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s decision to depute two of its most politically able and active pracharaks to the Bharatiya Janata Party is indicative of its attempt to keep itself relevant in the functioning of the political party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the party to a remarkable victory in the Lok Sabha elections, is insisting that his close associate Amit Shah is made president of the party.
The RSS is firmly against Shah’s appointment as BJP president, and would like one of its own people for the post, but they recognise Modi’s influence over the political party now. The RSS has resisted against Shah’s appointment by arguing that both top posts – the head of the government and the head of the party – should not go to one state. The decision is likely to be taken by the end of the budget session.
The two pracharaks in question, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav and the Sangh Parivar’s key man in western Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Prakash, are likely to be made general secretaries of the BJP, an insider in the party has explained. They will be given important roles in party affairs once a new team is constituted, when the new president takes over.
With present party president Rajnath Singh and many members of his team inducted into Narendra Modi’s government, the BJP is set for a total revamp, with a new party chief and a new team of office bearers.
The RSS fears that with the help of Shah, Modi would edge out the Sangh and establish complete control over the party. With Shah at his side, Modi would be able to refashion the party along the lines of what he did in Gujarat, where the party machinery are supporters of Modi above all.
Insiders say the decision to shift Ram Madhav and Shiv Prakash to the BJP also illustrates that the RSS wants to increase its direct representation amongst the senior members of the party. Neither of the two pracharaks being deputed to the BJP is a novice. Ram Madhav, who is from Andhra Pradesh, has been working for over a decade as official spokesperson of the Sangh, and has been a member of the RSS’ national executive, the organisation’s key decision making group of 35 men. Shiv Prakash, who is well-regarded in the Sangh Parivar for his grassroots work, is considered to have played a key role in western Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Many in the BJP also find this latest decision is an indication that the Sangh has given up resistance to Modi’s choice, and that Amit Shah will be the new president of the BJP before too long.
The Sangh has been underplaying its involvement in the functioning of the BJP, but the decision marks a change of stance on the part of the RSS. It is indicative of the organisation’s desire to be more actively involved in the running of the party.
The RSS is firmly against Shah’s appointment as BJP president, and would like one of its own people for the post, but they recognise Modi’s influence over the political party now. The RSS has resisted against Shah’s appointment by arguing that both top posts – the head of the government and the head of the party – should not go to one state. The decision is likely to be taken by the end of the budget session.
The two pracharaks in question, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav and the Sangh Parivar’s key man in western Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Prakash, are likely to be made general secretaries of the BJP, an insider in the party has explained. They will be given important roles in party affairs once a new team is constituted, when the new president takes over.
With present party president Rajnath Singh and many members of his team inducted into Narendra Modi’s government, the BJP is set for a total revamp, with a new party chief and a new team of office bearers.
The RSS fears that with the help of Shah, Modi would edge out the Sangh and establish complete control over the party. With Shah at his side, Modi would be able to refashion the party along the lines of what he did in Gujarat, where the party machinery are supporters of Modi above all.
Insiders say the decision to shift Ram Madhav and Shiv Prakash to the BJP also illustrates that the RSS wants to increase its direct representation amongst the senior members of the party. Neither of the two pracharaks being deputed to the BJP is a novice. Ram Madhav, who is from Andhra Pradesh, has been working for over a decade as official spokesperson of the Sangh, and has been a member of the RSS’ national executive, the organisation’s key decision making group of 35 men. Shiv Prakash, who is well-regarded in the Sangh Parivar for his grassroots work, is considered to have played a key role in western Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Many in the BJP also find this latest decision is an indication that the Sangh has given up resistance to Modi’s choice, and that Amit Shah will be the new president of the BJP before too long.
The Sangh has been underplaying its involvement in the functioning of the BJP, but the decision marks a change of stance on the part of the RSS. It is indicative of the organisation’s desire to be more actively involved in the running of the party.
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