RSS can’t set BJP house in order

BJP MP Arun Shourie’s call for RSS intervention to sort out the BJP’s mess did not get a public endorsement from RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who avoided giving out any “suggestions” he might have made to the party leadership.

At a rare press conference on Friday, Bhagwat acknowledged the BJP was in a sad state. He recalled meeting a villager in Uttar Pradesh who pleaded with him, tears in his eyes, “Please do something to save the BJP.” In his pain, Bhagwat saw hope.  “A party people care so much for cannot wither away. The BJP will rise from the ashes,” he said.
Bhagwat also dismissed suggestions that the RSS would float a new political party.
“RSS does not do it. These things happen by themselves,” he said.

On what he has to say about the BJP and what the party leadership should do, Bhagwat said the BJP was an autonomous organisation and has to think and decide for itself. Any advice given by him was on a personal level and not as RSS chief, he said.

But then wasn’t it the RSS that had asked LK Advani to step down after his “Jinnah was secular” comment? Bhagwat again said that if he meets and speaks to some leader, it is in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the RSS. “We never give any advice unless we are asked.” he said.

So was his statement in a TV interview about generational change an “advice” for the BJP? “I was only answering a question. Fifty to 60 years is the average age for the Sangh leadership and it’s for the political party to decide what should be the right age for it,” he said.

On Jaswant Singh’s expulsion over his book on Jinnah, Bhagwat said, “The RSS is for freedom of expression. As for any particular state’s action, it is for them to decide (whether or not to ban a book). If they are right, they will benefit; if they are wrong, the decision will harm them.” The reference was to Gujarat.

Ruling out taking over the reins of its political outfit, as suggested by Shourie, Bhagwat said he cannot comment on the views of a “senior and intellectual” leader like Shourie.
Bhagwat did not comment on the charge that LK Advani lied in denying knowledge of Jaswant Singh going to Kandahar for the hostage-terrorist swap in 1999. “He (Advani) is capable of answering the charge. He will answer it himself,” he said.

Responding to questions on the turmoil in the BJP, Bhagwat said, “Whatever is happening in the BJP is not good and it should stop. Whatever has to be done by the party to put in place a system and corrective measures, it is for them to do.”

He said it was not for him to speak on the internal matters of the BJP and RSS. “But we do not talk in terms of control and power; we talk in terms of love and persuasion.”

On RSS’ acceptability among Muslims, Bhagwat said their doors were open to all. People from other communities, including Muslims, can and do come to the RSS shakhas, he said, adding that the RSS was no longer seen as anti-Muslim.

Bhagwat speak
On the turmoil in the BJP
“Whatever is happening in the BJP is not good and it should stop. Whatever has to be done by the party to put in place a system and corrective measures, it is for them to do.”

On what the party should do
BJP has to decide for itself. Any advice given by me are at a personal level and not as RSS chief.

On Shourie’s suggestion
Cannot comment on the views of a “senior and intellectual” leader like Shourie.

On Jaswant’s expulsion over Jinnah
“The RSS is for freedom of expression. As for any particular state’s action, it is for them to decide. If they are right, they will benefit, if they are wrong, the decision will harm them.”
On Advani’s alleged Kandahar lie
“He (Advani) is capable of answering the charge. He will answer it himself.”

On acceptability among Muslims
“Our doors are open to all. People from other communities, including Muslims, can and do come to the RSS shakhas. RSS is no longer seen as anti-Muslim.”