RSS makes its plans public

With Bharatiya Janata Party President L K Advani's exit imminent, the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh Friday made public its roadmap for the party asking it to promote new generation, collective leadership and decision-making.

In some plain speaking, the Sangh also said there was no need to redefine its relationship with the BJP as suggested by Advani in his speech at the Chennai BJP National Executive where he had also accused it of interference in party affairs.

It was up to BJP to heed its advice on doing "something to mend itself," RSS All India Chief Campaigner Adheesh Kumar told reporters on the first day of the three-day meeting of the Sangh National Executive.

"There is no need to redefine our relationship with the BJP. It has been asked to do something to mend itself but to heed the advice is upto the party," he said.

Kumar skirted questions on Advani's statement about RSS 'interference' in BJP affairs and Uma Bharati's similar charge in a recent letter to RSS chief K S Sudarshan.

Asked about the suggestions given to BJP to mend its ways, Kumar said the BJP had been advised to "promote new generation, collective leadership and collective decision making".

"The ball is in their court now," he said when asked whether the Sangh would also ensure that its suggestions were heeded to.

Apparently seeking to dismiss Advani's statement about RSS interference, Kumar said, "Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee had rejected it".

On whether Uma Bharti should be made chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, he said it was not the job of RSS to choose chief ministers.

"The chief minister is chosen by the party and its MLAs. The RSS has nothing to do with it," he said.

Pressed on Bharti's letter to Sudarshan, Kumar said the letter had been addressed to the Sangh chief and he would 'consider it'.

Kumar rejected suggestions that the recent controversies would in any way affect the image of RSS.

Asked if Bharti's letter and Advani's remarks in Chennai were discussed at the meeting, Kumar replied in the negative.

On whether they would come up for discussion during the three-day meeting, Kumar said they could "if we are able to complete our agenda".

He said the Karyakari Mandal (executive committee) expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of caste rivalry in Hindu society and appealed for spreading the message of samrasta (social harmony) and hindvah sodarah sarve (all Hindus are brothers and sisters).