No reason for govt to be RSS-driven: Haryana CM

Haryana’s first BJP chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that there was no reason for his government to be driven by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, Khattar said that one can always imbibe virtuous values from anywhere – be it from the Arya Samaj or any other organisation.

Haryana’s first BJP chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that there was no reason for his government to be driven by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, Khattar said that one can always imbibe virtuous values from anywhere – be it from the Arya Samaj or any other organisation.

“I come from an RSS background, having spent 34 years working with the Sangh. There must have been something virtuous in the RSS that led to such a long association. The sanskars (values) I imbibed from the RSS will be put to use in the interest of society. Will then one say that this is RSS driven? Whatever we do should be in the interest of the state and people. That’s our agenda, nothing more,” he said.

The CM said that caste-based politics or regionalism was not healthy for the state and society.

“At least I will not be a part of any discrimination. My job will be to ensure equitable development. My priority is to work towards inclusive development. Areas that are geographically backward will get more attention,” he said.