The RSS top brass has cautioned the BJP leadership to remain vigilant about people’s perception in the wake of allegations against BJP chief Nitin Gadkari by India Against Corruption Despite allegations against Mr Gadkari, the RSS has made it clear Mr Gadkari will continue to head the BJP for a second consecutive term.
The RSS, however, has cautioned BJP leaders that they should give utmost priority to “clean image”, especially when the BJP has taken a high moral ground on the corruption issue and has to prove that it is a credible alternative to the Congress in the 2014 general polls.
Meanwhile, on the issue of the NDA’s PM candidate, the RSS clarified it was the BJP’s prerogative after party MP Ram Jethmalani claimed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat agreed with his view that Gujarat CM Narendra Modi is the best choice. “Meetings do take place. Whether the sarsanghchalak was affirmative (with regard to Mr Jethmalani’s view), only he can tell you... You have one version of it. What is the other version can only be given by the RSS chief,” RSS leader Ram Madhav said.
Sources disclosed Mr Gadkari met the RSS supremo in Nagpur on Thursday and clarified his position in the wake of the IAC’s allegations of land-grabbing against the BJP chief.
Sources said senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, M.M. Joshi, Leaders of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, met the RSS top brass, including Bhaiyya Joshi and Suresh Soni, at Sangh headquarters in the national capital on Friday. Sources said two RSS leaders are expected to meet BJP parliamentary party chief L.K. Advani Saturday.
However, RSS strategists feel that such allegations against BJP leaders might affect the party’s electoral prospects and, therefore, leaders should remain cautious and avoid getting embroiled in such controversies.