Arun Srivastava
The BJP is in hurry to appoint a new national president by December end. Electoral process for the election of the new president is underway. But the contentious issue whose candidate, either of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat or of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will eventually occupy the office is still shrouded in the mystery. October meeting of the RSS national executive and later interaction of Bhagwat with some senior BJP leaders and also chief minister of UP, Yogi Adityanath had certainly turned the saffron ecosystem optimist of an agreement between the two before the year is out.
Barely a fortnight is left for month to end, the name of the final incumbent still awaits announcement. It is still a mystery whether the leaders of warring factions have converged on a single name. Neither RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has dropped any hint about the new face, nor Narendra Modi has proposed the name of successor of current BJP president J P Nadda.
Nevertheless senior BJP leaders are unanimous in their view that it is not a major issue haunting either RSS or BJP and a common candidate, acceptable to both, Bhagwat and Modi would be announced soon.. They point out Modi is known for not opening his mind before the final days.. Modi selected two completely unknown as the chief ministers of Haryana and MP. Rest of the BJP leaders came to know only after he dropped their names in public.
These leaders are sure that Modi will not do anything which would hurt the RSS or goes against its mission and philosophy. He is simply buying time. But this strategy of Modi has turned the RSS cadres suspicious of his intentions. There is wide perception in the saffron circle that the conflict of supremacy and desire to control the saffron ecosystem has entered into a new phase. Insiders nurse that the latest development underlines that the electoral outcome would now be decided among others by Adani factor.
The aggressive attitude of US against the BJP for its allegation that the U.S. State Department was behind targeted attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian businessman Gautam Adani has been taken note by the saffron leadership. The US posture has turned the political situation vulnerable for Modi. Obviously in this backdrop Modi would have to focus more on improving and cementing his relation with US administration. For this he needs a strong BJP organisation and a very cordial relation with RSS. Selecting a face which would will be friendly with him as also acceptable to Mohan Bhagwat is the crucial issue.
The recent discord amongst the INDIA bloc members, especially opposition from TMC and Samajwadi Party, to consistently raising the issue in Parliament has come as a major respite to BJP, especially to Modi. Opposition of TMC and SP to Rahul’s stand on Adani has in fact forced Congress to stay from all out attack on Adani directly during their morning demonstration on Parliament premises in the last two days. The tone is a bit diluted though the thrust continues.
Adani is a favourite of RSS, but the manner in which Modi has put at stake his prestige to protect him and his business is not liked by Bhagwat. The RSS expects more tactical approach on Adani from Modi rather than giving the impression that the BJP government will go all out to protect Adani’s interests. The fact is that Bhagwat has been approached by other non-Gujarati business houses who are aggrieved that the present government at the centre is granting too many facilities to the Adani group ignoring the interests of others. The RSS has to look after this as these houses are also pro-Hindutva and funds the BJP-RSS.
In 2019 well before Amit Shah stepped down from the office of president, everyone had come to know about replacement by J P Nadda as the next president. But this time no one has any inkling of the new incumbent. With the RSS chief exercising his power and authority, to keep the image and prestige of the RSS intact, the situation has undergone a major change. During his ten year rule, Modi has ignored the authority of RSS and Nadda worked as per PM’s directions. Nadda in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections had even questioned RSS’s relevance to BJP.
Modi during these ten years built personality cult around three elements; vyaktitva, vichardhara, sangathan (personality, ideology, organisation). He is so obsessed with his cult that he is unwilling to allow Bhagwat to have his close aide as the new president. Names which are floating around in the party circle include names of Vinod Tawde, Sunil Bansal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Manohar Lal Khattar, Vasundhara Raje, and Sanjay Joshi. Joshi is known to be Modi’s bête noire.
Party insiders say that the RSS is interested in some assertive and independent person (who is not in awe of Modi-Shah) taking on the party’s top job. This also seems evident from recent assertions by RSS leaders and the meetings between RSS and BJP leaders.RSS and BJP leaders also plan to restructure party organisation. So not just the post of BJP president, other organizational posts also are under radar.
With the D-day reaching closer the clamour for who will be the next president is getting louder. The suspense is building up; who will win the war of supremacy; whether Bhagwat or Modi. The situation would not have worsened to such extent if Modi had not dared to project himself as the saffron supremo, demeaning the position and authority of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
After his selection as the NDA leader Modi initiated the move to consolidate in the party and win over some RSS leaders. Some of his moves like allowing the government employees to become members of the RSS, were purely aimed at bridging the differences and assuage their hurt feelings. The latest move of Modi in Maharashtra is yet another attempt to water down the differences. Modi in fact is finding himself in a sticky situation. Maharashtra episode has reinforced the grip and authority of Bhagwat. If the latest developments in the saffron brigade are taken as indicators, it appears that balance of power has tilted in Bhagwat’s favour. Modi just cannot have his yes man as the next president, the new person will have to be loyal to Mohan Bhagwat also. Who cab that BJP leader, that is the big question now. (IPA)
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