A "Godse" Remark As Congress Divided Over Digvijaya Singh's "RSS-BJP" Post

Senior leader Digvijaya Singh's praise for the RSS and the BJP has exposed cracks within the Congress in a fresh crisis that has gripped the grand old party and raised questions over unity and discontentment among the senior leadership.

Singh had yesterday triggered controversy over an online post in which he said that the BJP-RSS allow grassroots workers to grow within the organisation to top posts like chief minister and prime minister, sharing a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor near BJP veteran LK Advani.

Though he later clarified that he remained a staunch opponent of the RSS-BJP, the damage was already done. His post brought to attention another remark by Singh from a week ago, in which he had publicly called for the need for reforms and decentralisation of power within the Congress, tagging Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

His posts sparked a debate over whether a section of Congress leaders believed that the RSS's discipline was its strength that offered a learning opportunity. In a firefighting mode, Congress cleared its stand: it doesn't believe in the RSS ideology.

Singh also clarified that there was nothing to learn from "Gandhi's killers," referring to Nathuram Godse. "I have been in the Congress and fought the communal forces in the Assembly or Parliament. I oppose their (RSS and BJP) ideology. I have been completely opposed to their ideology," he said, but asserted that every organisation needs strengthening.

Read: "Oppose Their Ideology": Digvijaya Singh Clarifies Amid "RSS-BJP" Post Row

Singh's earlier remark, however, had already divided the Congress, with a majority of the leaders siding with him. But Pawan Khera, a member of the highest decision-making body of the Congress, chose to differ. "I don't agree to what he said. Godse's supporters cannot be Gandhi's supporters," said Khera, who is in charge of the party's media and publicity.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore went a step forward and equated RSS with the Al-Qaed terror organisation. "RSS is an organization made of hatred. RSS spreads hatred. Al Qaeda is also an organization made of hatred. Al Qaeda also spreads terrorists. We do not need to learn anything from RSS. Al Qaeda and RSS have the same model," he said.

"Our Backbone Is Not Weak"

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who had earlier called for a ban on the RSS, pointed out the difference between his party and the RSS-BJP combine, claiming that the Congress never does politics of religion. He didn't name Singh in his post, but his target was clear: raising the allegations that his party has lately been highlighting.

"We may have less power, but our backbone is not weak. Whether we are in power or not, we do not seek votes in the name of religion. We believe in religion, but some have turned religion into politics. The BJP has power, but it lacks truth. RSS leaders had once refused to accept even the Tricolour and Vande Mataram and they are now crushing the rights of the people. We must stand firmly and resist such attempts," he said.

Sachin Pilot, a senior leader from Rajasthan, also denied that there is a lack of unity in the Congress, asserting that it is the only party that offers a strong opposition in India. "Congress is united. The country needs a strong opposition. There are no differences within Congress. opinions are free to express. They said what they had to say. Our single goal is to strengthen Kharge and Rahul (sic)," Pilot added.

Read: Shashi Tharoor Was Asked About Digvijaya Singh Amid Row. What He Said

Another senior leader, Supriya Shrinate, said there is no need for the Congress to learn from RSS. "They should learn from us. We don't need to learn anything from (Nathuram) Godse's organization," she said, referring to Mahatma Gandhi's killer.

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who was seen seated next to Singh at a Congress event this morning, told reporters that it is only logical for an organisation to have discipline and be strengthened, in apparent support of Singh. He, however, did not respond to a question on the RSS-BJP. 

"We Reject RSS Ideology"

Salman Khurshid, a Congress veteran, however, asserted that Singh is "completely" with the party leadership.

"Appreciation and accessing facts are two different things. Digvijaya Singh inspires a lot of people. The fundamental ideology of the RSS is contrary to the idea of India. Digvijaya Singh is completely with our leadership. Just forget about the strength. It's not there. Then should we also start oppressing people? We have our own kind of strength. They have their own kind of strength. That is a pragmatic assessment of what RSS has been able to achieve. We and Digvijaya Singh reject the RSS ideology," said Salman Khurshid.

Congress MP Rajni Patil sided with Singh, stating that he hasn't said anything wrong and that the media has twisted his statement.

Another leader, Alka Lamba, called for a strength analysis of both her party and the rival, asserting that the Congress doesn't align with the RSS ideology. "We should analyse that where our enemy is strong and where we are strong. It is democracy. Everyone can have their point of view. But we do not agree with the ideology of the RSS at all. They stood with the Britishers," she added.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "Digvijay Singh should be asked what this picture means. RSS is a strong organisation. BJP comes to power only because of RSS. We saw in the Lok Sabha elections what was the condition of BJP when RSS withdrew its support."