However, Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy was not dressed in the RSS attire. Shobha Karandlaje, who recently quit as RDPR minister, was conspicuous by her absence. Though Shobha is a RSS worker, it had reportedly wanted her to be out of the Cabinet.
Besides the CM, R Ashok, Katta Subramanya Naidu, K S Eshwarappa, Suresh Kumar, Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, Aravind Limbavali, MP Ananth Kumar and others ministers presented themselves as the disciplined swayamsevakas at the meet.
Though nearly 15,000 swayamsevakas, besides large number of public, from across the State took part in the meet, there wasn’t much of a traffic problem. For RSS functionaries had joined hands with the traffic police in managing the traffic both inside and outside the venue.
The sprawling Palace Grounds was virtually painted saffron with RSS flags on all corners. Before Bhagwat’s address, the swayamsevakas performed a drill for the special music band of the RSS.
No politics
Bhagwat sought to clarify that his visit to Bangalore had nothing to do with the political turmoil in the BJP government in the state.
He said he has not come here to teach any lesson to politicians and that the RSS does not interfere in politics.
“Looking at its flag, some people think that the RSS is a political outfit. It is because such people do not know what the RSS is,” he stated.
Sources said Bhagwat has managed to iron out differences in the State BJP during his two-day visit to Bangalore. This was quite evident with the presence of leaders of both factions -- the Chief Minister camp and the Reddys -- at the Palace Grounds.
Earlier in the day, Bhagwat held a meeting with intellectuals and key Sangh Parivar functionaries at Jain college and discussed about strengthening both the RSS and the BJP in the State, the sources said.
The RSS chief is learnt to have advised the BJP leaders to bury the hatchets and work towards strengthening the party.
The party should complete its five year term. Care should be taken to ensure that the party is not damaged for self interest.
All differences should be sorted out within the party amicably, he is learnt to have told the BJP leaders during the meeting.
