BJP President pick may bring PM Modi to RSS headquarters: Telegraph report
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has indicated its preference for a “strong leader” rather than a “rubber stamp” as the next Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, leading to tensions within the party, The Telegraph reported. This could prompt Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur for the first time since assuming office 11 years ago, according to a report by Telegraph journalist J.P. Yadav.
The BJP has delayed the election of a new party chief as the RSS has yet to approve any of the proposed names. The term of current BJP president J.P. Nadda, considered by some as a “rubber stamp,” expired in January 2024 and has been extended. The Telegraph reported that Modi is scheduled to visit Nagpur on March 30 for an official engagement, during which he is likely to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to discuss the matter.
“The Sangh appears adamant about having a BJP president who fits its criteria. From my interactions with key Sangh leaders, they want a strong and reliable leader, not a yes-man,” a senior BJP leader told The Telegraph.
Modi’s visit to Nagpur coincides with the RSS centenary celebrations. He will lay the foundation stone for a private eye hospital, an event that Bhagwat, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari are also expected to attend. Following this, Modi may visit the RSS headquarters to pay respects to its founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.
RSS chief publicist Sunil Ambekar declined to comment on Modi’s possible visit but said he was “welcome.”
Relations between the BJP and RSS have been strained since the general election, where Modi’s slogan, “Abki baar chaar sau paar” (This time, over 400 seats), was seen as overconfident. The BJP fell short of a majority, and Bhagwat later criticised the “arrogance” and “bitter” campaign that, according to him, harmed social harmony. RSS cadres had also largely stayed away from election activities.
Since then, efforts have been made to mend ties. The BJP leadership held several meetings with the RSS ahead of elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, where coordinated efforts contributed to victories.
Recently, Modi has been vocal in his praise for the RSS. In a podcast with Lex Fridman on Sunday, he credited the organisation for shaping his life and instilling in him the “nation first” ideology. “More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction towards what can truly be called a purpose in life,” he said.
According to RSS insiders, Modi’s remarks could be an attempt to secure support for a BJP president of his choice. Nadda had previously irked the RSS by downplaying its role in an interview during the general election, suggesting that the BJP had evolved to manage its own affairs.
(Source: The Telegraph, report by J.P. Yadav)
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
