BJP, RSS Not In Lockstep? RSS Chief, Yogi Adityanath's Big Meet Today

bjp, rss not in lockstep? rss chief, yogi adityanath's big meet today

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ruling party's ideological mentor are expected to meet this afternoon in Gorakhpur, which serves as Bhagwat's stronghold in the Assembly.

The meeting is reportedly set to take place either between 2 and 4 pm or after the latter's visit to the Gorakhnath Temple. The significance of Mohan Bhagwat meeting Yogi Adityanath is notable following the former's recent address in Nagpur. During his speech, Bhagwat criticised the conduct of campaigns by both political factions.

Earlier on June 10, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat called for addressing the conflict in Manipur in a time-bound manner. Bhagwat, in a message to the NDA 3.0 coalition, stated that violence is affecting the eastern state and the matter should be resolved on priority. The RSS chief's statement came a day after the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cabinet ministers.

"Manipur has been awaiting peace for a year now. It was peaceful for 10 years. It seemed that the old gun culture had ended. It is still burning in the fire of the sudden tension that rose there or that was made to rise there. Who will take note of it? It is the duty to prioritise it and take note of it," the RSS chief said during an event in Maharashtra's Nagpur.

Mohan Bhagwat's 'Arrogance' Remark Not Directed At PM Modi: RSS Clears Air

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has clarified that recent statements by its top leaders, including Chief Mohan Bhagwat, were not aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP. The RSS looked to dispel any doubt of a possible rift with the Modi-led BJP in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections where the saffron party fell short of a clear majority.

Highlighting a good equation with the BJP, RSS sources told PTI that the party is scheduled to attend organisation's three-day annual coordination meeting with its affiliates to be held in the Palakkad district of Kerala starting from August 31. Senior BJP leaders, including its president, are expected to attend the meeting, the first such exercise after the recent polls.

"There is no rift between the RSS and the BJP," the sources told news agency PTI, amid the assertion by a section of people, including the opposition leaders, that Bhagwat's remarks, including "true sevak is never arrogant", were a message to the BJP leadership following its below-par performance in the polls.

"There was not much difference in his (Mr Bhagwat's) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to refer to an event as important as national elections. "But it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His 'arrogance' remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader," the sources said.