RSS displeased at extravagant praise of Modi, okays nationalism plank

The RSS has expressed its displeasure at BJP leaders describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "god's gift to India" in the recent national executive meeting while also suggesting the party go ahead with the issue of "nationalism" but add development to it, informed sources said on Tuesday.

After the recent meeting of its Pratinidhi Sabha at Rajasthan's Nagaur, the RSS leaders on Tuesday held discussions with the top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders at Deendayal Shodh Sansthan. The meeting was convened to convey the outcomes of the meet to the BJP, said informed sources.

From the RSS, Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Krishna Gopal and Dattatreya Hosabale attended while the BJP was represented by president Amit Shah, general secretary (organisation) Ramlal and vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

Sources said that the RSS leaders expressed displeasure over the remarks made by union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu describing Modi as god's gift to the nation, and suggested the BJP leadership not encourage "individual worship" as "organisation" is supreme in the RSS.

Naidu, while presenting political resolution on the last day of the national executive meeting on Sunday, dubbed Modi "god's gift to India" and a "messiah of the poor" and said India is recognised and respected everywhere because of him.

The RSS also supported BJP's move to go ahead with the issue of nationalism but also suggested the issue of development be incorporated to it, sources said, adding it was of the view that nationalism and development are complementary to each other and the party should go ahead focussing both issues in upcoming assembly polls in five states.

The BJP and the RSS leaders also discussed issues related to the states of West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry where polls will begin next month.

They also took up the issue of forming a new government in Jammu and Kashmir with coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party - which was hanging fire after its leader Mehbooba Mufti sought certain assurances but now seems more possible following her "positive" meeting with Modi here on Tuesday.

According to sources, the issue of reservation also came up at the meet and BJP leaders requested the RSS leadership not to express its views publicly on reservation because it embarrasses them and the prime minister is required to clarify the party's position over the issue.

The RSS had said that demands for reservation by the affluent sections of society only reflected deviation from the spirit of the constitution. Its views came in the wake of the recent pro-quota agitation by the Jat community in Haryana and the Patel community's agitation in Gujarat.

In Haryana, the BJP has formed a committee under Naidu to look into the aspects of Jat reservation.

The JNU row and the Rohit Vemula suicide case also figured in the meeting, the sources said.