RSS snubs Nitish Kumar over 'secular PM' remark - Hindustan Times
The RSS chief’s assertion that the next PM should be a Hindutva proponent comes at a time when the NDA is battling dissension over whom to back for president. Key alliance partner Shiv Sena has already jumped the gun by coming out in support of UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee.
While the JD(U)'s stand against Modi is a challenge to the RSS adherence to Hindutva - making Kumar's statements unpalatable to the hardline saffron constituency - the Bihar CM sees overt criticism of Modi as part of a careful projection of himself as a pro-minority leader and the only "secular" face in the NDA. The question is how the alliance will handle such political complexities.
"What is the harm in having a pro-Hindutva Prime Minister? It is none of his (Kumar's) business to decide who is secular or not," Bhagwat told RSS volunteers in Latur, Maharashtra.
RSS leader Ram Madhav explained: "Hindutva is the true synonym for secularism. It is a secular, liberal and all-embracing idea." The RSS chief's remark, however, came as a shot in the arm for Modi.
At a time when the BJP has many prime ministerial hopefuls, Bhagwat's remark strengthens Modi's standing by making Hindutva its crucial qualification for a PM candidate. However, Sangh insiders hinted that BJP chief, Nitin Gadkari is high on the RSS's list of PM candidates, with sections of the organisation wary of Modi's dictatorial ways.
JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari rushed to Kumar's defence, saying those in the BJP who want the party to return to power should realise that projecting a "fanatic face" wouldn't work. He claimed that the NDA lost the 2004 elections because of the Gujarat riots two years earlier.
While the BJP did not hold an official press briefing, its Gujarat in-charge Balbir Punj said, "None in this country has the right to issue fatwas as to who is secular or not."
RSS rallies behind Modi - Asian Age
The secularism-Hindutva battle intensified Wednesday with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat rallying behind Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, saying the country needed a “Hindu” leader.
Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar had decided to take on Mr Modi when the Bharatiya Janata Party, at its Mumbai national executive, wanted to name Mr Modi chairman of its campaign and selection committee. This would have been a clear signal that the party wanted to project Mr Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for 2014.
Mr Nitish Kumar, who has to cater to Bihar’s Muslim votebank, made it clear the NDA needed a secular face, sources said. However, despite the war of words, sources said Mr Kumar had “assured the BJP leadership he will not quit the NDA”.
A BJP leader claimed the move to pick Mr Modi as head of the BJP campaign and selection committee was also “conveyed to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa”, It was said if the BJP managed to get 200 seats in the 2014 general election on its own, the party will project Mr Modi as Prime Minister. “Naveen Patnaik and Jayalalithaa had no issues, but Nitish needs to cater to the Muslim votebank in Bihar”, the BJP leader added.
Some BJP leaders were apparently taken unawares by the RSS chief’s anti-Nitish remarks. There were whispers in saffron circles that the RSS chief and others like Balbir Punj should have been restrained in attacking Mr Kumar.
Congress criticises RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat - Times of India
ALLAHABAD: At a meeting of Congressmen held on Wednesday, speakers criticised the statement of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat wherein he had stated that prime minister of the country should be pan-Hindu.
Congress leader Hardev Singh said the partition of the country took place in the wake of policies of the RSS and now it is once again trying to divide a secular country like India on religious lines by propogating the ideal of Hinduism. This would make a dent on the image of the country and sow seeds of division, he added.
He warned that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS would contest parliamentary elections under the leadership of a communal person like Narendra Modi they would meet the same fate as that of Hitler and his party. tnn
0 Responses to "RSS snubs Nitish Kumar over 'secular PM' remark - Hindustan Times"
Post a Comment