NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has formally decided to convey to the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership its "serious concern" over L.K. Advani's `Jinnah is secular' formulation, thus putting a big question mark over his continuation as BJP president.

A few senior BJP leaders have been asked to remain here on Monday and Tuesday for a meeting with the RSS bosses, where the Sangh is expected to convey its strong views on the "ideological erosion" of its fundamental beliefs as a result of the statements made by Mr. Advani during his Pakistan visit in June.

The decision, some BJP leaders said, could have grave consequences for Mr. Advani continuing in his dual role as party president and Leader of the Opposition. "The RSS has now publicly and formally declared its disapproval — the bugle has been sounded," one leader said.

"Serious concern"

RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav on Saturday issued a three-sentence statement. It said the prant pracharaks (State-level RSS heads), who assembled in Surat earlier this week, "expressed serious concern over the ideological erosion, behavioural misdemeanour and violation of organisational discipline with impunity by some functionaries of a couple of like-minded organisations. The Sangh has taken serious note of this and our elders will soon talk to concerned people and convey the Sangh's reservations."

The RSS did not mention Mr. Advani's or anybody else's name.

"I will make no comment on the RSS statement," BJP spokespersonPrakash Javadekar, who was in Pune, told The Hindu over telephone. But privately, BJP leaders say several scenarios are possible: one, Mr. Advani could step down as party president next week ahead of the national executive session in Chennai; two, party leaders could plead for some more time for Mr. Advani citing the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls as the reason: and three, the BJP and Mr. Advani could give an undertaking to the RSS that there would be a change of leadership before the Mumbai National Council session in December. In any case, the general view is that time is running out for him.

An RSS functionary told The Hindu that the organisation had not only taken a dim view of Mr. Advani's statements and his continued defiance when he spoke about taking on the role of Arjun (in the Mahabharat). The Sangh has more than once made it clear that individuals do not matter, it is the organisation that counts.

Mr. Advani's statements in Karachi and the Bhopal paper presented by his former political aide Sudheendra Kulkarni virtually suggesting that the BJP distance itself from the RSS are seen as "grave deviations" from the Sangh policy, ideology and belief in `Akhand Bharat' (unified India comprising what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) .

Togadia may be warned

The RSS is also expected to warn some senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders — general secretary Pravin Togadia's name was mentioned privately — for "lack of control over language." The Sangh could tell him that it would not tolerate his use of abusive and indecent language against the leadership of the BJP or other "like-minded organisations" belonging to the Sangh Parivar.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |