MUMBAI: An article in the latest edition of the RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, has criticized the admission of Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into the BJP-Shiv Sena government, describing it as an ill-advised step that has “hurt” the BJP’s cadre. The criticism follows RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments about the lack of political decorum in the Lok Sabha campaign.
Columnist and RSS member Ratan Sharda wrote that the selection of “defectors” as candidates in many Lok Sabha seats came at the expense of local leadership. The article noted that “well-performing Parliamentarians” were overlooked to accommodate these “latecomers.” It argued that the party was “enjoying the glow reflected from Modiji’s aura” but “not listening to the voices on the street.”
“Maharashtra is a prime example of unnecessary politicking and avoidable manipulations,” Sharda wrote. He pointed out that the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the BJP despite the BJP and the split Shiv Sena having a comfortable majority. Sharda argued that Sharad Pawar would have faded away within a few years due to internal conflicts within the NCP. “Why was this ill-advised step taken? BJP workers were hurt because they had fought against the Congress ideology for years and were persecuted. In a single stroke, BJP reduced its brand value. After years of struggle to become numero uno in Maharashtra, it became just another political party without any difference.”
Ajit-led NCP reacted sharply to the article. “Organiser is not the official mouthpiece of RSS, it does not reflect RSS ideology. I do not think top BJP functionaries agree with whoever wrote the article. One keeps finding different reasons for failure. When parties are against each other, they find fault and make accusations. In politics, accusations are thrown at each other. Everything depends on ultimate results. I don’t think there’s truth in what RSS said,” spokesman Unmesh Patil said.
