Sangh reminds BJP to include Ayodhya in manifesto

Expansion plans in Northeastern states top priority, says RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on Friday that it expected the BJP to include the Sangh’s long-standing demand of a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, along with several other issues, in the party’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.

Dattatreya Hosabale, saha sarkaryavaha (joint general secretary) of the RSS, told a press conference prior to the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (meeting of the top brass of the Sangh Parivar outfits) that the BJP had sent its representative to the Sabha and that the Sangh will provide its views whenever sought. The three-day conclave began on Friday.  

“We have been giving our suggestions to the BJP. While the decision to prepare the manifesto is solely theirs, we expect that the party will include the Ram Mandir, our suggestions on the economic policy and concerns in the manifesto,” he said.

The RSS will discuss several policy decisions keeping in mind the present political situation and the need for the country to “regain its lost respect” during the meeting.

Hosabale said there was a “parivartan leher” (wave of change) and the RSS will also try to expand its social activities. Not once naming Narendra Modi, Hosabale said that they were proud that the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP was an RSS man.

Hosabale said that the RSS did not have any role in the selection of candidates for the elections. The RSS leader said that there had been repeated attempts by the UPA government at “minority appeasement”. 

Self-respect nosedived

Hosabale attacked the UPA for its policy of “minorityism” and said that India’s self-respect had nosedived in the last 10 years. He said that the new direction which the RSS needs to take, in the light of these prominent issues, will be decided at the meet.The RSS plans to increase its shakhas in the present consistent manner, at 10 to 12 per cent each year, till 2025.

The joint secretary said that the RSS would concentrate on the Northeastern states, where people have a psychological disconnect with the rest of the country. The RSS will host the centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu, who fought actively against conversions in those parts of the country, Hosabale said.