Though some members had tried to raise this issue, they could not. The delegates nonetheless were unanimous that the delay in announcing the name of the next president was simply eroding the credibility of the organisation. An impression was gaining ground inside the saffron ecosystem that RSS was finding itself handicapped to take Modi-Shah combo head on.

However insiders also maintain that three developments were crucial for delaying the process of announcement; first, RSS leadership intends to provide some space to Narendra Modi who is likely to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on March 30. If the organisation can wait for a year, it can also prefer to wait for a few more days. The other two are; the process of election of presidents in some major states are yet to be completed, Bengal being one of them and the third, the most important, is unavailability of a suitable candidate. This fact was confessed by none else but by the joint general secretary of RSS, Arun Kumar.

Addressing news men Kumar said that the BJP is free to elect its president, and that the RSS collaborates with the BJP on matters of national interest and nation-building. Kumar also said that if the BJP seeks support from the RSS to suggest a suitable swayamsevak, the RSS would consider the request. So far this is the most ambiguous statement given by any RSS official.

Kumar’s statement also provides an insight that RSS is virtually vertically split on the issue of RSS having a president of its choice. While the entire saffron ecosystem is aware of the running feud between the RSS and BJP and RSS’s resolve to have its nominee as the president, Kumar tried to white wash denying of any friction between the Sangh and the BJP regarding the delay in the party’s presidential election.

Significantly it was for the first time Kumar was speaking on this issue. He said: There are 32 RSS affiliates and they are independent bodies, each with its own internal election mechanism. There is no friction between us. We work together on issues concerning the nation. The BJP’s organisational election process is underway, and the president’s election will take place in due course. Wait for a few days, and things will become clear.”

The general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, second in command, after Bhagwat, refusing to dwell in the uncharted domain also sent the message that RSS was finding going tough. Hosabale prevaricated and talked of issues like religion based reservation and persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He opposed religion-based reservations, saying; "Religion-based reservation is not possible. Reservation is only applicable to backward classes within a religion, as seen in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and several other states. The Constitution, authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar, does not accept religion-based reservations. Any state attempting to implement such a provision is going against the founding principles of our Constitution." He made this remark in the backdrop of Karnataka Congress government approving 4% reservation for Muslims under the 2B category.

Strange enough he lauded the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, saying; "There is no situation that requires the RSS to advise the government, as it is already moving in the right direction. In Manipur, actions like imposing President's Rule and disarming people have given hope. We are satisfied with the government's decision, which has been made based on its own assessment. The Sangh does not provide daily guidance to the government, as no such mechanism exists with us".

His both stands were contrary to his own stand of a year back, when he had bitterly criticised Modi for his failure to provide a competent governance. His year old observation was presumed as censuring Modi government. What made him making a U-turn has confused the RSS rank and the delegates. Yet another significant statement that he made was about Aurangzeb. While he eulogised Dara Shikoh, elder brother of Aurangzeb and adored him for embracing India’s culture, he condemned Aurangzeb. Criticizing glorification of Aurangzeb, who, he claimed, was against Indian ethos, he said it was unfortunate that he has been idolized.

Some RSS leaders however maintain that RSS is not willing to wreck RSS boat just during the year of centenary celebration. In fact Pratinidhi Sabha devoted maximum time to preparation for the celebration. Hosabale said preparations for the RSS centenary year, which will commence on Vijayadashami in 2025 and continue until January 2026, has already started. Celebrations and programs will be organized at over 100 locations nationwide, with a focus on rededicating the RSS to nation-building. Obviously it needed the proactive support of the Modi government. In this backdrop it cannot dare to offend him as RSS will sincerely need his support to make the celebration a grand success.

Stoking the issue of Bangladeshi Hindus would only help it consolidate its strength in India. The RSS leaders feel that it would attract the attention of Indian Hindus and make them identify with and embrace RSS. This will also boost the confidence in the members of the Indian diaspora and make them feel that RSS was really concerned of their well being. It was with this in mind RSS passed a resolution reading "RSS calls to stand in solidarity with the Hindu society of Bangladesh and also to international agencies like the UN to take a serious note of the inhumane treatment being meted out to Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and take every possible step to ensure dignity for the victimised segments”. (IPA Service)