Rare opposition-RSS bonhomie emerges amid rumours of rift in Sangh-BJP ties
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday had advised the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the conflict in Manipur on priority.
Indian opposition on Tuesday (Jun 11) extended rare support to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over a statement issued by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the Manipur conflict.
Bhagwat’s advice to PM Modi
Bhagwat on Monday had advised the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the conflict in Manipur on priority.
“It’s been a year since Manipur has been waiting for peace. The state remained peaceful for the last 10 years, but suddenly, gun culture has increased again. It is important to resolve the conflict as a priority,” he said during a Sangh event.
He also cautioned the government that there was a need to “get over election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation”.
Indian opposition welcomes RSS chief’s remarks
Indian opposition welcomed his statement on Tuesday, with the Congress party saying they hoped the words of Mohan Bhagwat would “prevail” upon PM Modi.
Watch: Manipur violence displaces at least 2000; special commandoes deployed in Assam’s Lakhipur
“If not the one-third of Prime Minister’s conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Mr. Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur Remember what Mr. Vajpayee had told Mr. Modi 22 years back: fulfill your rajdharma,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.
Another top Congress leader Kapil Sibal quipped that it was ‘not in Modi’s DNA’ to listen to anyone but he should pay attention to Bhagwat’s words.
“We raised concern about Manipur, Bhagwat ji has also said it now. You don’t listen to us because you are not used to listening to us, but listen to him. It is not in your DNA to listen to us. Manipur should be given priority. I had asked for removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, but you could not remove the former wrestling body chief. What will you do about the Chief Minister?” Sibal said.
Modi’s silence on Manipur
Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities broke out in Manipur in May last year, that have claimed over 180 lives so far. Sporadic incidents of violence keep emerging from the state even today. PM Modi avoided the issue throughout his months-long election campaign and didn’t even travel to the state.
RSS-BJP ties face setback
The speculation market is hot with rumours of silent tensions between RSS and BJP, the supposed allies. A week after BJP fell short of the majority in the June 4 Lok Sabha results, Bhagwat suggested true ‘sevak’ must not be “arrogant”. He also warned that the opposition must not be treated like an adversary, and elections are not war.
Earlier, BJP chief JP Nadda fueled these speculations by declaring that the governing party didn’t need RSS to win elections.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Vikrant Singh
Geopolitical writer at WION, follows Indian foreign policy and world politics, a truth seeker.