BJP rebuffs Fernandes

Party disagrees with remarks on interference by RSS

To reduce the growing distance between itself and the RSS, the Bharatiya Janata Party today turned on close ally George Fernandes for his criticism of Sangh interference in BJP matters.

Closing ranks with the RSS, the BJP did not fall in line with Fernandes' criticism of the RSS and charged him with going beyond his brief as the NDA convenor.

Senior BJP leader Pyarelal Khandelwal, went to the extent of saying that "Fernandes' friends may have prompted him to make the statement against the RSS", without elaborating on who they might be.

While this has triggered speculation that Fernandes may be acting on somebody's behalf, other BJP leaders have rubbished the claim.

"Our relationship with the RSS is unique. We have a good relationship with the NDA as well. We will work it out," said BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu.

"We are sad (with Fernandes' statement). We disagree with it. NDA is an alliance of political parties which have their own identity," party spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said, setting off a deluge of criticism of Fernandes.

Asserting that the BJP was inspired by the ideals of the RSS and was dedicated to them, she said, "Fernandes has gone beyond his jurisdiction and he should respect the feelings and sentiments of the party."

On the apprehension voiced by Fernandes on RSS' influence on BJP ideology, she maintained that "the party's ideology was no different today than what it was when it was in government or when the NDA was formed".

Fernandes had generally been very close to the BJP, sitting in on several national council meetings of the BJP, and was also close to the RSS leadership.

He, in fact, went to Nagpur last month to work out a reconciliation between BJP President LK Advani in the aftermath of his Jinnah comments, and the RSS.

His latest remarks are being attributed to the imminent elections in Bihar.

Fiery BJP leader Uma Bharati also took on Fernandes and said that the relationship between the RSS and the BJP was not open to comment from outsiders.

"The relationship between the RSS and the BJP is like that of a mother and child. If this is over, then the BJP will be on the road," she said.