RSS Member claims overconfident BJP leaders received reality check in 2024 elections
New Delhi: The recent Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have resulted in introspection within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ranks, with a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) highlighting a reality check for overconfident party leaders. In an article published in the RSS mouthpiece, concerns were raised about the lack of decorum during the election campaign.
Ratan Sharda, an author and RSS member criticized a disconnect between the leaders and the ground realities, suggesting they were "happy in their bubble" and not attuned to public sentiment.
The article was published a day after Modi took oath as the prime minister for the third time along with a 71-member Council of Ministers.
The BJP, although retaining power, witnessed a significant decrease in its Lok Sabha seat tally compared to the 2019 elections. This shortfall, Sharda argued, necessitates a reassessment of strategies and a more inclusive approach towards ideological allies.
Sharda's analysis also delved into specific state dynamics, particularly criticizing the BJP's maneuvers in Maharashtra, where alliances and candidate selections allegedly led to electoral setbacks.
“NCP faction led by [Deputy Chief Minister] Ajit Pawar joined BJP though BJP and split SS [Shiv Sena] had a comfortable majority,” the RSS member said. He said this “ill-advised” step hurt BJP supporters as they had fought against the Congress’s ideology for years.
Furthermore, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat echoed these concerns, emphasizing the erosion of decorum and the exacerbation of social divisions during the election campaign.
“The kind of things that were said, the way the two sides castigated each other (during the elections)… the way no one cared about social divisions being created because of what was being done… and for no reason the Sangh was dragged into this…How will the country operate like this?” he asked while addressing a gathering of RSS leaders and workers in Nagpur.
Bhagwat said that a true sevak, or one who serves the people, does not have arrogance and does not cause hurt to others.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
