FILE: PM Narendra Modi with senior BJP leaders (Press Trust of India photo)
Amid reports of Union Ministers presenting their report cards to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, the Congress today asked whether the Narendra Modi government was accountable to a "fascist organisation" or people of the country.
"It confirms that the RSS is controlling this government and its Ministers are answerable to RSS rather than being accountable to the people of India. When all senior ministers are giving report cards to RSS, is the government accountable to RSS or people of India?" Congress spokesman RPN Singh said.
He said "it is embarrassing for the nation" when Cabinet Ministers make presentations to people with the mindset of controversial Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia.
With several issues confronting the government coming up at a coordination meeting of the Sangh and its affiliates at which several senior Ministers were also present, Mr Singh said, "Now the RSS is telling Shri Modi and his government what to do on OROP, Economy and Farm Distress".
In a statement, party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said what has been taking place is nothing but "grave travesty of democracy".
"This explains why the Prime Minister has remained mum through all the scams, the slide in the economy and the rapid fall in development of the country", Mr Surjewala said
He alleged a constitutionally elected Government is "reporting to and is being held captive to the diktats of an extra constitutional, divisive and fascist organization like RSS whose greatest claim to fame is helping the colonial rulers against a nation fighting for independence."
Mr Surjewala said it is not surprising thus that this government has, in line with its "masters in the RSS, unleashed a divisive, anti-people and fascist agenda on the country."
"RSS-BJP meet demonstrates that remote control is now overt control. Modi may be PM but Bhagwat is the boss. BJP govt puppet of RSS and oligarchs," Congress leader Manish Tewari tweeted.