From the day BJP chief J P Nadda claimed that the RSS did not help the BJP in the recently-concluded assembly elections, RSS cadres and leaders have been maintaining distance from the BJP. Nadda had also said that the RSS is a cultural organization and not involved in the BJP’s political activity. He did not hesitate in describing RSS as an apolitical organization, which is separate from the BJP. The “RSS is a cultural organization and we are a political organization”. He added that the RSS has “a century-long experience of working on socio-cultural issues.”

Nadda had pointed out that the “areas of working are clearly established”. He said:“RSS ke log ideologically apna kaam karte hain, hum apna” (They do their ideology-related work, we do ours). He also observed: “BJP runs itself. We are managing our own affairs in our own way.” His assertion sent a clear and loud message the RSS is not involved in the BJP’s political work. BJP has matured under the leadership of Modi and has been performing well on its own.

For RSS cadres and leaders, Nadda’s remark was an act to insult and humiliate RSS leadership. Showing their disdain towards Nadda’s remark, the RSS cadres had initially refused to support the BJP in the elections to three states. But finally, Bhagwat prevailed in assuaging their feelings and making them agree to undertake electioneering in the greater interest of the RSS and its political mission.

But the manner in which the BJP leaders have been projecting the electoral win in these states as the victory of Modi’s charisma and his political image, and downplaying the role of RSS, has incensed the Sangh cadres and leaders. If the RSS sources are to be relied on, these people have conveyed their feelings to Bhagwat and also told him that only an apology from Nadda for what he said last year, would help ease the situation and make them once again undertake electioneering.

Though top RSS leaders also share the views of their state leaders, they for obvious political reasons are keeping silence. The senior leaders strongly feel that Nadda would not have made such an immature and nonsensical comment without the approval of Modi and Amit Shah. Nadda is the blue-eyed BJP leader of Modi, which was why he has been getting extension after another extension as the BJP national president. His second three-year term came to an end in January 2024, but he continues to be office till date. He has got fresh extension of more than a year. It now transpires that the next BJP chief could be announced before March 15.

Modi and Amit Shah deliberately made Nadda continue as the chief. They could have sorted out their differences with the RSS about the next president. But they delayed the process with the intent to send the message that they continue to lord over the party and saffron ecosystem. Letting Nadda continue was the best indicator to assert their authority.

Nevertheless, the Gujarat combo became nervous with the pouring in of messages from the district and block levels about emergence of a somewhat rebellion-like situation. The duo is aware that allowing this development to fester would prove to be cost-heavy and BJP cannot aspire to win the assembly elections in Bihar and Bengal in such an acrimonious climate. This would in turn have a revolting impact on the image of Modi, who has been making all kinds of efforts to project himself as the modern developmental face of the saffron ecosystem.

The RSS leadership is however sceptical of the moves of Modi. They are yet to repose their trust in him. Though it is said that Modi and Shah have agreed to have a new president by March 15, the RSS leaders are keeping their fingers crossed. They are simply waiting for their next moves. Incidentally, Bhagwat is on a four-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh. His visit to Arunachal from February 27 to March 2 is part of his ongoing nationwide tour ahead of the RSS’s 100th anniversary. A key event is the ‘Prant Karyakarta Shivir’ (state-level functionaries’ camp), scheduled from February 28 to March 2. Around 900 RSS functionaries from different parts of the state are expected to participate in it, RSS sources said.

It is not yet clear whether Modi and Amit Shah have discussed the issue of induction of new president with Bhagwat before he left for Arunachal. Before his Arunachal visit he was on a five-day tour in Assam. After concluding his tour on March 2, he will return to Assam for more centenary-related engagements, the sources said.

Meanwhile, RSS sources hold that defeating BJP candidates has acquired major importance. The message that Modi is not above RSS and it is the RSS’s dictate that matters must percolate to the cadre level. Time has come for the RSS to assert its authority, they say. The manner in which Modi and Amit Shah have been trying to make the regional parties and their leaders bow before them is dangerous for the RSS. (IPA Service)