RSS to decide BJP strategy for Bihar polls after Delhi drubbing?

The BJP's resounding defeat by the AAP in the Delhi Assembly elections has sent alarm bells ringing in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The organisation is set to play a more critical role in strategising for the upcoming Bihar elections. 

Senior RSS leader Dattatrey Hosbole had called a meeting on Bihar election related matters on Monday evening. BJP's Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, general secretary Murlidhar Rao and other key leaders like V Satish, Saroj Pandey and Vinay Sahastrabudhi were present in the meeting as well.

According to what sources told India Today, RSS will be heavily influencing BJP's strategies for Bihar assembly elections.

JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, Manjhi's former boss, who had staked claim for the Chief Minister's post and whose request for a floor test was denied by Governor KN Tripathi, said, "It all started after Jitan Ram Manjhi met the Prime Minister. The BJP is working behind the scenes in Bihar."

Manjhi, who has the support of only 12 legislators, had earlier said he is not averse to "accepting support" from anyone during the floor test. Manjhi will have to prove his majority in the floor test in the Bihar Assembly on February 20.

The assembly elections in Bihar are to be held later this year. After the Delhi loss, BJP's victory in Bihar has become far less certain and hence the concerns from RSS.

The RSS has slammed BJP's Delhi strategy in its mouthpiece the Organiser. It especially attacked Kiran Bedi's choice as CM candidate, calling it questionable. The mouthpiece also wondered whether ground workers and state leaders were sidelined during the high voltage campaign. "Did BJP lose because of lack of unity in the organization, planning and most importantly respect for the sentiments of the workers?", the RSS asks in Organiser.