"Struggle Might Be There But No Quarrel": RSS Chief On Relationship With Centre

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP, has "no quarrel" with the BJP-led government, Mohan Bhagwat said today as the organisation he heads completed 100 years. It is also "not true that the RSS takes decisions for the BJP," he added, dispelling notions that have been aired by many quarters, especially within the Opposition. 

"We have good coordination with the Centre and states. There are systems that have internal contradictions... There is no quarrel in any way... we have good coordination with every government," Mr Bhagwat said at a press conference on Day 3 of the 'RSS Centenary Lecture Series - 100 Years of Sangh's Journey: New Horizons' at Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan.

"Struggle might be there but there is no quarrel. When we talk of compromise, the struggle deepens," he said.

There have been multiple allegations that the BJP and its government are guided by the party's ideological mentor. Somewhat contrarily, there is also the view that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his close aide Amit Shah is not on the same page as the Sangh on multiple issues. 

Collective Decisions

As for the decision-making, Mr Bhagwat conceded that while the RSS and the BJP do not always agree, the RSS trusts its members and is positive that they will "converge" at some point.

Meanwhile, decisions get taken collectively. The RSS, he said, "only offers suggestions" but never interferes in the BJP's decision-making process. "I have been running the Shakha for 50 years. If someone gives me a suggestion, I will listen. But the party is running the country. They are experts in that. We (RSS) are not," he said.

There was also a small jab at what was seen as the BJP's decision-making. Without naming anyone, Mr Bhagwat said, "Had we been taking the decisions, would it have taken so long? They should take theirb own time." The comment was seen as the BJP's delay in naming a successor for party chief JP Nadda, who ended his official term almost two years ago - long ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. 

Despite party sources declaring that he would be replaced, he is still functioning as the head of the organization. 

How Opponents "Changed Stance"

In response to another question, Mr Bhagwat also said there have been multiple instances where those who opposed the RSS have changed their stance. "We see a change in our opponents in how they see us... From Jayaprakash Narayan to Pranab Mukherjee, people have changed their views on us," he said.