Amid a slew of meetings with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday said it would not interfere in the functioning of the BJP-led government at the Centre, dismissing suggestions that it was running the party through ‘remote control’.
“Sangh has not given any guidelines to the BJP after its historic victory in Lok Sabha polls, nor to Modiji. RSS does not keep any remote control to perform any role in politics and government,” said RSS national Ram Madhav.
There is speculation that the RSS influence will be reflected in the formation of the new Modi government. Madhav said, “This is a common cause of concern for people, specially the Congress who want to know what the RSS will do next? The same question (as to who was controlling him) was posed to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to which the former prime minister replied saying he himself was a direct remote control.”
The Sangh spokesperson said the Hindu right wing outfit never played a political role, but only for bringing a permanent and sustainable alternative. Madhav said the RSS worked tirelessly to spread awareness about importance of voting and encouraged people to exercise their franchise, especially in favour of Modi.
“Sangh’s work is accomplished, and Sangh will go back to its basic service of nation and society building, character and personality development,” he said.
The RSS spokesperson said before coming to power the BJP had set its agenda on which public mandate was accomplished and the future course of action would be taken by the party. “Sangh never kept any remote control. Sangh is not a political organisation but a social one. The people’s representatives who won in the Lok Sabha polls are aware of the Sangh’s ideology and they know how to do work and take its ideology forward. There is no way that RSS would interfere in the government’s functioning and politics. However, if required Sangh may give suggestions,” Madhav said.
When asked if there is any dissension within the BJP, he added, “There is no dissension. It might be in the media, I do not have any such information.”
On the issues of Ram Mandir and repealing of Article 370, he said BJP has clearly mentioned its priorities in the party mandate and all such issues would be taken up by the party at an appropriate time.
On the absence of a strong opposition in the Parliament, Madhav said, “This is a most unfortunate situation when there would be no opposition party in Parliament. The Speaker would have to decide and announce it or the Government would be courteous to name one.”
Special Coverage: Elections 2014
