RSS, BJP leaders meet to discuss party revival

In a bid to effect a family reunion, senior leaders of the RSS and the BJP met at former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's residence to draw a startegy to revive the saffron outfit's sagging fortunes.

The day long meeting had an uncertain agenda although one thing was clear that the focus would be on the decline of the BJP, both politically and 'morally', in the last few years.

The meeting was attended by RSS general secretary Mohan Bhagwat, Suresh Soni and Madan Dass Devi. Representing the BJP were Vajpayee, L K Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, V K Malhotra, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley along with BJP general secretary Sanjay Joshi.

Besides insisting on a return to ideology, RSS functionaries are understood to have expressed their concern over the exit of several senior leaders such as Uma Bharti and Babulal Marandi from the party.

The need for a coordinated strategy in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, which goes to polls early next year, is also understood to have figured at the meeting.

"Let's put it this way, the meeting today is being held to discuss the fact there has been a sharp decline in the BJP in recent years. We have come together to stem the rot and take the party forward," said a top leader in the BJP.

Recently, the party constitution was amended to give more powers to the organisation secretaries, a euphemism for RSS whole timers, from district level upwards.

The move cemented the fact that a pro-RSS president Rajnath Singh had been handpicked to lead the party.

The last time such a meeting had happened was during the NDA regime, where then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani had asked several saffron fringe outfits like the VHP to shed their virulent Hindu image. The contrast to today could not have been more striking.

"It is also significant that Vajpayeeji is hosting the meeting. He is not exactly known for his favourable relationship with the RSS. This is 'apat dharma' (emergency measures)," said a senior leader.