Indian political fraternity is witnessing a unique and never seen before situation with reports suggesting that all is not well between the BJP and the RSS. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday without taking anyone's name fired back a response saying 'a true kar sevak is never arrogant'. Not only this, Bhagwat also raked up the Manipur Violence issue. On the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the RSS chief also spoke about the bitter electoral campaign by "both sides", underlining how decorum was not maintained. He lamented that even the RSS was dragged into it. Interestingly, during the Lok Sabha Poll campaign BJP chief JP Nadda (now Health Minister) said that the saffron party is now self-sufficient in contesting polls and doesn't need the RSS's help. Nadda said that the RSS is a cultural and social organisation and BJP is a political organisation. This hints that BJP and RSS's relationship has hit rock bottom. Now, the question is why BJP and RSS are at loggerheads.
Why BJP and RSS are no more on cordial terms?
Interestingly, Bhagwat did not mention anyone's name in his 'arrogant kar sevak' remarks, however, it is a well-known fact that PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah sit at the top of the table when it comes to the functions of the BJP. Due to the sourness in their relationship, RSS also did not seek votes for the BJP till May 1, 2024. It is said that RSS was not happy with the distribution of tickets among the candidates by the BJP. However, attempts were made to woo RSS, thereafter, after May 1, the Hindu organisation started to work in favour of the BJP to the full extent.
Notably, it is said that both the organisation came at loggerheads over Champat Rai's controversy as well. For the unversed, Opposition parties Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), on June 13, accused Shriram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai of buying a piece of land worth Rs 2 crore at an inflated price of Rs 18.5 crore for the Ram temple premises. AAP's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and Pawan Pandey, a former minister in the Samajwadi government, alleged that Rai purchased the land, measuring 1.208 hectares and located in Bag Bjaisi village under Sadar tehsil of Ayodhya district for a price of Rs 18.50 crore from the first purchaser, who had bought it minutes earlier on March 18 this year from its original owners for a sum of Rs two crores.
Not only this, RSS reportedly wanted PM Modi to perform Pran Pratishtha of Ayodhya Ram Temple after Lok Sabha Elections 2024 so that people remain hopeful for the much-awaited event of the year. However, the BJP went ahead with Ram Temple's inauguration in Ayodhya months before the Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
RSS reportedly also had issues with invitations being sent to Bollywood stars for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony. However, the BJP invited the film stars anyway.
Notably, RSS prefers to fight elections on agendas rather than on people. But, in Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP fought elections only in the name of Modi and not on issues. Hence, the saffron party suffered big losses in multiple cities, especially in Uttar Pradesh.
It is pertinent to mention here that BJP's National President post is currently vacant. It is said that if the BJP ropes in BL Santhosh (BJP General Secretary (organisation) as its National Chief then the relationship between RSS and the saffron party will be reconciled. Thereafter, BJP's real test will begin as elections are yet to come in Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, etc.
For those who are unaware of history, the BJP's origins lie in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, popularly known as the Jana Sangh, founded by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951 in response to the politics of the dominant Congress party. It was founded in collaboration with the Hindu nationalist volunteer organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and was widely regarded as the political arm of the RSS.