RSS, BJP, and Modi’s Deep-Rooted Ties
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has played a foundational role in shaping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), acting as its ideological backbone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political journey is deeply intertwined with the RSS, having started as a pracharak (campaigner) in Ahmedabad in 1972 before rising to lead India’s government. However, recent reports have suggested underlying tensions between the BJP and RSS, especially in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Amid these speculations, Modi’s recent visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur has sparked intense political debate, particularly with claims from opposition leader Sanjay Raut that the RSS is now poised to select Modi’s successor.
Modi’s Visit to Nagpur: Strengthening Ties or a Political Signal?
On Sunday, Narendra Modi became the first sitting Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, signaling an attempt to reaffirm ties with the Sangh. This visit is being perceived as crucial for several reasons:
Bridging Differences: Last year, reports surfaced of growing friction between the BJP and RSS, particularly over leadership styles and the growing personality cult around Modi. However, recent developments indicate that both organizations are working towards greater synergy.
RSS’s Influence on BJP Leadership: The RSS has historically played a pivotal role in selecting BJP’s national presidents and shaping its leadership structure. With BJP chief J.P. Nadda’s term nearing its end, the visit has fueled speculation about the Sangh’s role in determining the party’s future direction.
100 Years of RSS: An RSS functionary from Nagpur highlighted that Modi’s visit is particularly significant as the organization completes its centenary year, an occasion the Sangh hopes to leverage to expand its ideological reach.
Political observers believe Modi’s visit also served to reinforce BJP’s ideological alignment with the RSS while ensuring that any perceived rift is publicly dispelled.
Sanjay Raut’s Bold Claim: RSS to Choose Modi’s Successor?
A day after Modi’s visit, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut made a controversial assertion: that the RSS is preparing to handpick Modi’s successor, likely from Maharashtra.
Raut’s claims suggest that:
- Modi is being prepared for retirement at 75, a precedent set within BJP for senior leaders.
- His visit to Nagpur was to formally inform the RSS of his departure plans.
- The RSS leadership, particularly Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, is looking for a leadership change to reassert the Sangh’s influence in national politics.
- Raut went further, suggesting that Modi’s tenure is effectively over and that the RSS wants a more direct role in selecting BJP’s next national president and the country’s future leadership.
The RSS and India’s Freedom Struggle: Raut’s Counterattack
In an extension of his critique, Raut also took a swipe at Modi’s assertion that the RSS played a role in India’s independence movement. Calling the statement historically inaccurate, Raut argued that the freedom struggle was led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, with no substantial contribution from the RSS.
He warned against what he termed as BJP’s attempt to rewrite history and create a false nationalist narrative, stating that such ideological distortions could negatively impact the nation’s political discourse.
Fadnavis Dismisses Speculation:
‘No Need to Search for Modi’s Successor, He Will Lead in 2029’
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday asserted that there is “no need to search” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successor, emphasizing that Modi will continue to hold the top post beyond 2029.
His remarks came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s claim that the RSS is set to decide Modi’s successor. Earlier, Raut suggested that Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday was a sign that he was preparing for retirement.
“There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue,” Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur, dismissing any speculation over a leadership transition.
Leadership Transition or Political Posturing?
The ongoing discourse surrounding Modi’s visit to Nagpur and the RSS’s potential role in selecting his successor underscores the deep ties between the Sangh and the BJP. Whether Raut’s claims hold weight remains to be seen, but the speculation highlights the shifting power dynamics within the ruling party.
If the RSS indeed asserts its influence in leadership decisions, it could signal a transition in India’s political landscape. However, Modi’s continued stronghold within BJP and his mass appeal make it unlikely that any major shift will occur without his involvement. The coming months will determine whether this visit was merely a symbolic reaffirmation of ties or a strategic move signaling a change in BJP’s leadership trajectory.
(With inputs from agencies)
