So far Rahul has been talking about RSS and BJP agenda to weaken and smashing the democratic institutions and denying share and representation of the poor and Dalit in the decision making process and empowering them, but this was for the first time he spoke of completely changing the nature and character of Indian state under which based on the principles of democratic functioning, the state power is vested in the people of the country.

Despite many imperfections, democracy is a form of government that aspires to honour the citizens as free and equal persons. He said the battle against the RSS-BJP was not just a political one. “The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country.” He intended to underline that the much against the concept of strengthening democratic tenets, BJP is promoting a new ruling class consisting of capitalist societies. A state of this nature primarily serves the interests of the ruling class and perpetuates class inequality. The state is not a neutral entity but rather an instrument of class domination.

Saffron ecosystem getting perturbed at this remark of Rahul was quite natural, as it exposed the Sangh conspiracy to turn India into a theocratic state, capitalist dominated Hindu Rashtra. . Leaders like SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Social justice proponent Tejashvi Yadav have criticised Bhagwat for his act of denigrating Indian constitution and its Independence.

While Bhagwat through his remark pushed ahead RSS ideology and mission to turn the basic character and identity of India, it also exposed that the conflict for supremacy between him and Narendra Modi has acquired higher dimension and Bhagwat will not hesitate of demeaning the individuality and sovereignty of India by saying that India got its "true independence" after Ram temple was built. Little doubt Bhagwat’s remark that India did not gain independence in 1947 is more than committing treason, but an insight into the development that would make it abundantly clear that it was a move to upstage Modi and undermine his authority who had earlier claimed that India became independent only after BJP winning the 2014 Lok Sabha election and he becoming the prime minister.

Modi has proved to be nightmare for the RSS and its chief Bhagwat is haunted by the spectre of turning irrelevant that he forgot to comprehend the implication of his remark. While he negated the basic tenet of Constitution, he undermined the supreme sacrifice of thousands of Indian for liberating country from Britishers rule. Rahul Gandhi was certainly did not fault by saying that in any other country he should have been arrested and tried. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Bhagwat lost mental poise.

At an Indore event, Bhagwat had suggested celebrating the consecration day as "Pratishtha Dwadashi", emphasising "The true independence of India, which had faced “parachakra” (enemy attack) for several centuries, was established on that day of Ram Temple's 'pran pratishtha'. India had independence, but it was not established," he said. Bhagwat cut a sorry figure by his remarks. In all fairness he should have made bare the role RSS played in the struggle for Independence and the sacrifices made by its leaders and cadres. It was like devil quoting the scripture.

People of India are aware of the RSS design to stab the freedom struggle in the back and showing their obeisance to the British rulers. He spoke of “enemy attack”. It would have been better if he had taken pains to name the enemy. It is an open secret that through his remarks he has put the saffron ecosystem under intense public scanner. In his desperation to outshine Modi, RSS chief has virtually committed worst nature of political hara-kiri.

Ever since Bhagwat is engaged in the war for supremacy with Modi, he has been using every opportunity to show him in poor light or denigrate him. It is widely known that Delhi assembly election has been crucial for Modi to demonstrate his political power and authority. He has already held a couple of public meetings. Though the RSS leaders from Delhi had finalised the names of the candidates in consultation with the state BJP leaders, the RSS is not willing to project Modi as the public face of party for electioneering.

Like Maharashtra and Haryana, RSS is for massive mobilisation of its cadres and leaders for electioneering in Delhi. RSS has mobilised nearly 60,000 cadres, more than 60 per cent of them are from neighbouring states. Only a fortnight back RSS held the first coordination meeting with BJP leaders and received the feedback for chalking out electoral strategy. At one stage Modi and Amit Shah were in favour of announcing the name of the would be chief minister. But they refrained as it was objected to by the RSS top leadership.

RSS think tank has also become proactive to evolve strategy to win over the slum dwellers and Poorbiya, people from eastern UP and Bihar. In the Lok Sabha election, the settlers from poorvanchal did not vote for the Congress candidate, Kanhaiya Kumar, but RSS functionaries nurse the feeling that in this election they may vote for Congress and AAP. Rahul’s attempt to set a counter narrative to the hate politics and seeking their share has made some favourable impact.

RSS will play crucial role in shaping the narrative, energising the cadre, and fostering the strong bond between the BJP and RSS. This it expects will shift the balance in BJP favour. With less than three weeks left for the Delhi assembly election, the RSS cadre has already begun its preparations, assigning tasks and responsibilities among its members. A top RSS leader revealed it has just after conclusion of Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, started giving a shape to Delhi electoral strategy.

If the RSS sources are to be relied, it would resort to intense campaigning on the communal line. These sources nevertheless point out that Bhagwat projecting consecration of Ram Mandir as the symbol of India’s Independence day is the part of this strategy to use Hindutva as the winning card. Though Rahul has tried to checkmate the RSS design, the sources maintain that it would rake up pro-Hindutva, emotive and divisive issues like illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas to polarise the votes before the polls. (IPA Service)