A day after being named BJP chief, Rajnath Singh on Sunday virtually contradicted its predecessor LK Advani saying RSS does not interfere in the internal matters of BJP.
"We are all 'swayam sevaks'. We consult the RSS whenever required. Whether it was the earlier Jana Sangh or the present BJP, RSS has never interfered in their affairs," Singh told reporters on arrival in Delhi from Mumbai on the eve of his elevation to the top party post.
Earlier Singh was accorded a rousing welcome at the Delhi airport and was greeted at his residence by several senior party leaders including former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana and Delhi BJP chief Hash Vardhan.
Singh's remarks assume significance as Advani had at the party's Chennai National Executive stressed on the need to change the public perception that RSS was interfering in the day-to-day affairs of BJP.
In his press conference on Saturday, Advani had said both the organisations had worked in the past couple of months towards changing that perception.
Rajnath Singh will formally takeover charge as party president on Monday from LK Advani. He would later address his maiden press conference as party chief.