Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi seems to be in desperate need of the RSS’ help. In the middle of his campaign, Mr 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 prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general polls.
Also, with Assembly polls in Gujarat scheduled for December and Mr Modi’s chance to come onto the national political scene dependant entirely on the results, the Gujarat CM virtually approached the RSS seeking assistance. The RSS has often made known to Mr Modi its displeasure at his taking “unilateral” decisions and keeping himself above the organisation. Mr 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.
Mr Modi’s meeting with Mr Bhagwat and other top Sangh brass, including Bhaiyya Joshi and Suresh Soni, came against the backdrop of BJP MP Ram Jethmalani’s claim that Mr Bhagwat had agreed that the Gujarat CM was the best choice for the NDA’s candidate for PM. However, the RSS had later said this decision would be taken by the BJP itself. Two key BJP allies (JD(U) and Shiv Sena) are not in favour of Mr Modi becoming the NDA’s candidate for PM.
The RSS top brass had also met the BJP leadership, including party president Nitin Gadkari and parliamentary party chief L.K. Advani, in the last couple of days to discuss party-related issues, including giving Mr Gadkari a second term.
The meeting at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, which lasted over three hours, is also significant as Mr Modi’s bete noire, RSS man Sanjay Joshi, has been openly moving in Gujarat and the delimitation exercise in the state has drastically changed the electoral profile. Mr Joshi had to quit from the BJP after Mr Modi forced the BJP top brass to seek his resignation.
Mr Modi described Sunday’s meeting as a courtesy call and said nothing political was discussed. “... I am also a Swayam-sevak and RSS headquarters is a worshipping place (sic) for all Swayamsevaks so naturally we speak our mind here... No, no political discussion took place,” Mr Modi said.