The Hindutva plank is set to be revived at a RSS-backed meeting of the saints to be held at the Mahakumbh on Wednesday. While Hin-dutva is expected to dominate the meet, it is unlikely that the seers will endorse Gujarat chief minister Naren-dra Modi as the BJP’s “best bet” for the par-ty’s prime ministerial candidate. While top BJP and Sangh leaders are expected to be present at the occassion, the VHP, which is orga-nising the meet, has not invited Mr Modi.
It was learnt that the VHP was aware that Mr Modi, if invited, would have kept away from the meet since he wants to steer clear of any Hindutva branding. Sources said Mr Modi, positioning himself for a national role, wants to project himself as “pro-development rather than pro-Hindutva”.
A section in the BJP disclosed that despite a huge chunk of functionaries and leaders rooting for Mr Modi, the RSS was somewhat “reluctant” to make him the BJP’s face for the 2014 polls.