RSS leadership is not happy with Narendra Modi’s style of governance in his last term

The RSS hints at the course correction from the BJP and Modi government 3.0, which it wants to be reflected in the choice of new party president.
The third tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi got off to a turbulent start. A series of unrelated events — paper leaks, a train accident and terror attacks — within a week of his government swearing -in thrust the government into crisis management mode. Additionally, the BJP’s ideological mentor, the RSS, appears to have conveyed a message of “course correction” as the ruling party did not secure a majority of its own in the Lok Sabha elections.
The RSS message delivered publicly, often couched as advice to every Swayamsevak, meant that it was heard within the parivar. It started with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressing the trainees in Nagpur, a day after Modi government was sworn-in. Bhagwat’s insistence on peace in strife- torn Manipur was seen as call for action by the government.
He spoke of adherence to decorum during election and using consensus to engage with the opposition. “ A true Sevak maintains dignity”, he said to the trainees,” “He follows decorum while working. He does not have arrogance to say, ‘I did this work’. Only that person can be called a true sevak,” It was interpreted by many as a shot at the Swayamsevak who heads the government. Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar’s subsequent jibe that arrogance restricted the BJP to 240 seats further amplified it.
The RSS-inclined publication Organiser , which analysed the 2024 results, also highlighted weaknesses in the BJP’s messaging and strategy, particularly in not listening to feedback from the cadres and inducted tainted leaders into the fold.
As the controversy swirled in Delhi’s power corridors, several sangh commentators argued that Bhagwat’s message caused a stir because of its timing, but noted that he had expressed similar views earlier too. “But what Indraeshji said, we are not sure of his motivation, but he retracted it earlier”, said a Sangh insider.
When it comes to such statements, it is not a one way street. During the Lok Sabha elections BJP President J P Nanda had said that his party had grown to a degree that it did not need the RSS anymore. “The statement should have been clarified in time, which was not done”, RSS leader Ram Madhav had said. Nadda’s words signaled to the Sangh cadres that they were not needed during the election, which led to confusion on the ground.
For outsiders, it might appear as a schism between mentor and mentee, but for insiders it is a nudge for action. The last two terms of the BJP government marked substantial rise of the RSS.
Relations were cordial between the two and views were exchanged through the regular coordination meetings.
As controversy erupted after the poll results, the BJP dismissed any talk of differences with its ideological mentor. “ The BJP and the RSS are part of same ideological mentor parivar”, said BJP spokesman Gopal Krishna Agarwal. “Various organizations of the Parivar are independently working in their respective fields, be it labour, education, tribal areas, youth, farmers etc, but the objective of a strong and vibrant nation is common” .
It is a fact that RSS, though worried, know the indispensability of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. He has a massive supporting base outside BJP and Sangh Parivar.
RSS’s phenomenal growth in the last attributed to Modi rule. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat wants Modi to rule but in consultations with the RSS leadership on key issues. The RSS will see that the next BJP President is nominated after talking to Sangh Parivar leaders, not thrust by Narendra Modi on his own. That way, the selection of the next BJP President replacing the incumbent J P Nadda will be of political significance. (IPA Service)