The RSS brass will have a threadbare discussion on the state of the country’s economy and shrinking jobs at an upcoming meeting in Bhopal, amid growing criticism over Narendra Modi-led government’s economic policies.
Stating this, sources said the annual Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Mandal (ABKM) Baithak scheduled for October 12-14 will be attended by RSS pracharaks from across the country. The pracharaks play an important role in disseminating the organisation’s ideologies and policies to the people.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is apparently concerned over the impact the economic downturn can have on the forthcoming assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in his annual Dusshera speech has already articulated the concerns of various Sangh affiliates over job cuts, economic slowdown, decline in production and farm crisis.
Bhagwat conveyed to the BJP government the need for drafting policy that is based on “feedback” from various quarters and to protect the small and medium sectors from economic “earthquakes.”
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and former minister Arun Shourie too recently flayed the BJP-led NDA government for its failure to boost the economy. The government, however, dispelled their concerns.
{{/usCountry}}Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and former minister Arun Shourie too recently flayed the BJP-led NDA government for its failure to boost the economy. The government, however, dispelled their concerns.
{{/usCountry}}The Sangh which has backed government’s foreign policy and its stand against terrorism, is finding hard to defend the latter’s economic policy going against the sentiments of its foot soldiers.
Policies such as culling of high-value banknotes during demonetisation, allowing FDI in key sectors such as aviation, defence and food production have been red flagged by the Sangh offshoots, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Laghu Udyog Bharti.
Sources told HT that the meeting will also discuss the issue of “Indianising” education, giving thrust to teaching in the mother tongue, internal security and expansion of the RSS, particularly in West Bengal, Kerala and the northeastern region.
In Kerala and West Bengal, the RSS is facing tough challenge from the ruling Left Front and the Trinamool Congress respectively.
The campaign, which the RSS initiated to challenge the Left in the coastal state of Kerala is now being taken forward by the BJP, but the Sangh leadership does not wants its cadre to lose momentum of the movement.
Cow protection, making borders impermeable to illegal migrants, counter terrorism in restive Kashmir will be the other important issues the RSS top brass will deliberate upon at the meeting, sources said.
Though RSS leaders claim that upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will be kept off the table, sources said the Sangh will review the BJP’s poll preparedness in the states.