The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday said it will not interfere in the functioning of the BJP-led government at the Centre, dismissing suggestions that it was running the party through “remote control”.
“Sangh has not given any guidelines to the BJP after its historic victory in Lok Sabha polls, nor to Modi ji... RSS never keeps any remote control to perform any role in politics and government,” RSS’ national spokesperson Ram Madhav said at a function here.
His comments came in the midst of a flurry of meetings between top BJP and RSS leaders ahead of Tuesday’s BJP parliamentary party meeting in which Narendra Modi will be named its leader for taking over as Prime Minister.
There is speculation that the RSS influence will be reflected in the formation of the new Modi government.
Mr. Madhav said, “This is common cause of concern for people specially the Congress who want to know what would RSS do next? The same question (as to who was controlling him?) was posed to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to which the former prime minister replied saying he himself was a direct remote control”.
The Sangh spokesperson said the Hindu right wing outfit never played a political role, but only for bringing a permanent and sustainable alternative.
Mr. Madhav said the RSS worked tirelessly to spread awareness about importance of voting and encouraged people to exercise their franchise, especially in favour of Mr. Modi.
“Sangh’s work is accomplished, and Sangh will go back to its basic service of nation and society building, character and personality development,” he said.
The RSS spokesperson said before coming to power the BJP had set its agenda on which public mandate was accomplished and the future course of action would be taken by the party.
“Sangh never kept any remote control. Sangh is not a political organization but a social one,” he asserted.
Published - May 18, 2014 04:07 pm IST
