BJP, RSS discuss economic policies

A host of economic issues, including foreign direct investment (FDI) and tax reforms, were taken up during a meeting between the senior RSS and BJP leaders. The parleys assumes importance as they come just before the national executive meet of the BJP, starting on Friday. 

The BJP was represented by senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha and Murlidhar Rao, among others. Leaders from the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad also participated in it.

BJP sources said FDI, which the party was opposed to, was discussed, besides tax reforms, as the RSS wants that the opposition party’s economic policies to also showcase and articulate people’s aspirations.

Party sources said the outcome of such meetings would be reflected in one of the two resolutions on the economic situation which would be passed by the BJP in its conclave to be held in Delhi. Other than that, the economic and business issues flagged by the RSS are also likely to figure in the BJP’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, slated to be held in April.

The RSS consulting the lead opposition party on pro-people economic agenda seems to be a result of the AAP snatching away political credit from the BJP by scrapping FDI in multi-brand retail in Delhi. The BJP had opposed tooth-and-nail the bringing of FDI in multi-brand retail, even in Parliament.