RSS, BJP disagree on Nepal developments

In a clear disagreement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swaymsevak Sangh (RSS) today declared that the dismissal of the elected government in Nepal by King Gyanendra was "an internal matter of the country".

The BJP, on the other hand, had toed the official line of the government when it came to condemning the coup.

According to RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav, Nepal and talks with Pakistan as well as the performance of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government till date will be on the agenda for the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Mangalore starting on March 11.

"The RSS views developments in Nepal as the internal matter of that country and believes that the people of that country are mature enough to restore democracy soon," he said.

The Indian government's decision to cut arms supply at a time when that country was passing through "the worst phase of the Maoist insurgency is highly uncalled for," he added.

Significantly Tulsi Giri, a former RSS pracharak, has been appointed by the king as one of his two deputies in the new government.

The organisation has urged the government to extend all support to Nepal in its battle against terrorism and insurgency, since it would be in India's interest to do so. Nepal is the world's only Hindu country and the RSS has historical links with Kathmandu.

What is significant is the impact this RSS line will have on the BJP's stand on the issue.

Madhav also criticised the decision of the UPA government for allowing the Srinagar-Muzzaffarabad bus service without proper consultation. "Especially, the decision to allow passage without valid documents is insane," said Madhav.

The Mangalore convention in will also analyse the political situation after the defeat of the NDA government in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

A critical analysis of the performance of the UPA government, which the RSS calls "anti-Hindu", will also be undertaken by the organisation.