RSS likely to support Modi's candidate for BJP prez post

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has been proactive in installing two previous BJP presidents, is unlikely to veto Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s choice for replacing party chief Rajnath Singh.

Singh will relinquish the post since he has taken over as the home minister. BJP general secretary Amit Shah leads the pack of contenders, while J P Nadda and Om Mathur are other hopefuls for the party top slot.

Sources said that Shah’s candidature got a major push after getting the nod from Singh, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Shah has gained respect within the party for his organisational skills after the BJP won 71 out of the 80 MP seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The party top brass is, however, waiting to hear from Modi who is yet to give his view on his close associate and former Gujarat home minister Shah’s elevation in the party.

The RSS is expected to go with Modi on the issue. The Sangh Parivar is of the opinion that coordination between the party and government would be smooth if Shah heads the BJP.

The party’s landslide victory has strengthened Modi’s position within the party and in the RSS. Sources said a decision will come once Modi gives his nod, which may happen anytime before the Budget Session of Parliament beginning July 7.

Once Modi decides, the BJP parliamentary board will meet to approve the decision that will have to be ratified by the executive council.

BJP leaders believe that they stand to benefit in the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra if Shah heads the party.

They do not want a situation where the party takes a back seat, as it happened during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime, with the organisation getting into the hands of weak leadership.

The BJP, however, will have to confront difficult questions in case Shah is appointed since he is yet to come clean in Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Prajapati fake encounter cases.