Modi sends SOS to RSS

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi seems to be in desperate need of the RSS' help.

In the middle of his campaign, Modi sought an appointment with the RSS top brass, including chief Mohan Bhagwat, on Sunday, perhaps after realising that there are hurdles within his own party and the Sangh Parivar that can mar his ultimate goal of becoming the BJP-led NDA's PM candidate for the 2014 general elections.

Also, with Assembly polls in Gujarat scheduled for December and Modi's chance to come on to the national political scene dependant entirely on the results, Modi approached the RSS seeking help.

The RSS has often made known to Modi its displeasure at his taking “unilateral“ decisions and keeping himself above the organisation. Modi was also not invited to a special meeting of the RSS last month in Vadodara even though he was eager to meet the RSS top brass.

Modi's meeting with Bhagwat came against the backdrop of BJP MP Ram Jethmalani's claim that Bhagwat had agreed that the Gujarat CM was the best choice for the NDA's candidate for PM.

The RSS later said that BJP has to decide on that. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who held meeting with RSS top brass including its chief Mohan Bhagwat for three hours at the organisation's Nagpur headquarters, said the visit was just for courtesy and nothing political was discussed.

Appearing from the RSS headquarters, Modi said, “....I am also a Swayamsevak and RSS headquarters is a worshipping place (sic) for all Swayamsevaks so naturally we speak our mind here... No, no political discussion took place.“