Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

Amit Shah as BJP chief: Modi sidestepping RSS?

Amulya Ganguli IANS, 10 Jul, 2014 01:32 PM
    When L.K. Advani was dragged kicking and screaming from the post of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president in 2005 under orders from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a diplomatic cable from the US embassy in Delhi to Washington stated that the event "demonstrated the power of the RSS ... and will likely increase the party's (the BJP's) political decline".
     
    According to Wikileaks, the cable also noted that Advani was "shocked" by the failure of the "second tier" of the BJP leadership comprising, among others Murli Manohar Joshi and Sushma Swaraj, to come to his aid. While leaving the president's post, Advani called for changing the "impression that has gained ground that no political or organizational decision can be taken (by the BJP) without the consent of the RSS functionaries".
     
    Nearly a decade later, Narendra Modi can be said to have changed the impression by making the party choose its own man, Amit Shah, for the president's post without the concurrence of the RSS.
     
    The latest turn of events, which appears to have ended the "continued dominance" of the RSS over the BJP (to quote Wikileaks again), cannot but cause a flutter among the Nagpur patriarchs who had become used to selecting the BJP president in recent years.
     
    After choosing Rajnath Singh to replace Advani, they asked Nitin Gadkari to take Rajnath Singh's place in 2009. But four years later, the RSS had to appoint Rajnath Singh again as president in view of the allegations of sleaze against Gadkari. Now, it is clear that the RSS had little or no say in Shah's appointment. To stretch a point, it can also be said that neither did the BJP, notwithstanding the party's formal association with the selection, since it has been clear ever since Shah was credited with party's excellent showing in Uttar Pradesh in the parliamentary elections that he will be anointed for the post with Modi's blessings.
     
    As Shah is known to be the prime minister's Man Friday because of the long association between the two through the thick and thin of Gujarat's turbulent politics, the belief had gained ground that Modi would trust no one but him in the key position of party chief.
     
    It isn't only the political and organizational closeness of the two which is behind Shah's elevation. It is also undeniable that Modi's insular nature makes him work in close concert with only a few of his hand-picked men.
     
    At a time when a generational shift is taking place in the BJP, and Modi has emerged on top despite the reservations of several senior party members, it is obvious that Modi will be wary of having someone with whom he is not totally familiar to hold a key organizational position.
     
    While this much is in line with Modi's penchant for running a one-man show, whether in Gujarat earlier and now at the national level, what is of interest is how the RSS will react to its marginalization by a former 'pracharak' (preacher), who has now risen beyond all expectations not only to be the lord and master of the BJP, but is probably on his way to be the predominant figure in the Sangh Parivar, as the Hindu nationalists groups are known, as well.
     
    Since such a possibility entails the relegation of the RSS to a secondary position, it will obviously have to take a fresh look at the changing equations. But it has to tread carefully in view of Modi's wide acceptability not only in the party and the saffron brotherhood, but also among the general public which sees in him a new hope after the dismal years of the Congress' dysfunctional governance.
     
    This across-the-board popularity is Modi's great asset unlike Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani, who also chafed at the control exercised by the RSS; but since they did not enjoy Modi's general popularity, they had to abide by its dictates most of the time.
     
    The result was that the RSS openly called for their removal as in 2005 when the then RSS chief, K.S. Sudarshan, said that both Vajpayee and Advani should make way for "new leaders". The RSS's grouse against them was mainly about their moderate outlook, especially Vajpayee's, which had become evident during the BJP's stint in power at the centre between 1998 and 2004.
     
    In calling for their replacement, the RSS evidently wanted that the "new leaders" would adopt its own hawkish postures. But this isn't what has happened where Modi is concerned. The RSS, therefore, will be doubly worried.
     
    Not only has Modi curtailed its influence over the BJP as Shah's selection shows, he is also not the hardliner which the RSS thought he will be at the time of the Gujarat riots. It is this belief which makes Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) say that only Modi can stop the "total Islamisation" of the country. Views of this nature are also expressed by the Hindutva netizens.
     
    But Modi is seemingly following his own line, which is guided by his economic vision, which promises improved conditions for all Indians, Hindus and Muslims alike. The RSS cannot be too pleased.
     
     

    MORE India ARTICLES

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up
    A small and compact cabinet under Narendra Modi appeared to be taking final shape Sunday, with BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, and Sushma Swaraj likely to get the top posts, according to party sources.

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana
    Stung by its rout in the general election, where it won only four out of 440 Lok Sabha seats it contested, all of them from Punjab, the AAP is now back to thinking small and may not contest assembly elections in Haryana scheduled for this October.

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana

    History will be made Monday as Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi takes oath

    History will be made Monday as Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi takes oath
    It would be history in the making, in more senses than one. A man who once helped his family make ends meet by vending tea at a railway station in between his classes, and who once wandered around the country to find his spiritual moorings, will take his oath as India's 14th prime minister

    History will be made Monday as Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi takes oath

    Shazia Ilmi, Capt.Gopinath quit AAP, hit out at Arvind Kejriwal

    Shazia Ilmi, Capt.Gopinath quit AAP, hit out at Arvind Kejriwal
     In a double whammy for the Aam Aadmi Party, two of its key leaders - Shazia Ilmi and G.R. Gopinath - Saturday quit the party and lashed out at its chief Arvind Kejriwal's policies and attitude.

    Shazia Ilmi, Capt.Gopinath quit AAP, hit out at Arvind Kejriwal

    Sonia asks partymen not to bicker in public, learn lessons from rout

    Sonia asks partymen not to bicker in public, learn lessons from rout
    Congress president Sonia Gandhi, re-elected chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP)Saturday, asked party leaders not to indulge in "public acrimony" over the party's worst Lok Sabha results for which appropriate lessons need to be learnt.

    Sonia asks partymen not to bicker in public, learn lessons from rout

    India's Muslims welcome Modi's gesture to Pakistan

    India's Muslims welcome Modi's gesture to Pakistan
    India’s Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s gesture of inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony has raised hopes of a long-lasting peace between the arch rivals among Muslims of this country.

    India's Muslims welcome Modi's gesture to Pakistan