Shah brainstorms with RSS, BJP on strategy for South

BJP national president Amit Shah has reportedly finalised the party’s election strategy for the four southern states during the four-hour-long baithak that went into the wee hours of Thursday.

Sources in RSS told DH that that the party president was closeted with RSS leaders and BJP general secretaries from the four states at Sanghaniketan here.

The discussions focussed on strengthening the party’s base in the four states, including Kerala. RSS leaders present in the meeting reportedly advised Shah on exploiting the Sabarimala issue.

Shah was briefed on how the communist government in Kerala had ignored the sentiments of Hindus by refusing to file a revision petition before the Supreme court.

“RSS leaders informed Shah that the Kerala government’s stand on the issue had benefited the BJP.

Besides launching a campaign to protect the interests of Hindus, the anti-Hindu policies of the Kerala government should be opposed, RSS leaders stressed at the meeting,” sources told DH.

Ram temple

With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu walking out of NDA, Shah was advised to have a truck with regional parties and extend the party’s base in all southern states on the basis of Hindutva. RSS leaders reportedly mounted pressure on Shah to take concrete steps on building the Ram temple in Ayodhya before the Lok Sabha elections.

Shah is said to have told them that Ayodhya was a sensitive issue and there was a need to take everyone into confidence. Shah, however, promised to take some decision on the temple issue before the elections.

Sources said RSS leaders Suresh Bhayaji Joshi, Mukund, BJP general secretaries from four states, including B L Santosh, were present at the meeting.

Shah met the BJP leaders in the hotel before retiring to bed at 3 am. On Thursday morning, Shah - before departing from Mangaluru in a special flight - released a book highlighting MP Nalin Kumar Kateel’s achievements in the past four years.