New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha election the ruling BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS are ready to stress on the coordination between the two, where Sangh's official stand is to streamlining booth-level work and conducting meetings to mobilise voters, BJP's focus would be the 'development agenda', leaders say.
Meanwhile, the top leaders of both RSS and the saffron party had already started their talks with the recent 'Chintan Baithak' at the Mantralayam, on the banks of Thungabadhra river in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
The three-day session which was commenced on August 31 and ended on September 2, was attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, 250 top leaders from 55 Sangh affiliates including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and BJP chief Amit Shah.
Though the leaders were tight-lipped about the agenda, sources said that the roadmap for the 2019 parliamentary elections was discussed, besides taking stock of the current political situation in the country. R
RSS national media convener Arun Kumar told Millennium Post that, "This was routine session. This 'Chintan Baithak' is being held twice a year. The next session would be held in January 2019. It is too early to talk about elections, where the decision lies with the public mood."
Kumar also added that "Our 'Karyakartas' stressed on bio-diversity, water reservation this time. Today's youth are more interested in serving the society. Therefore, our focus was on how to associate them more with Sangh Parivar. Our Vidyarthi Parishad members also shared their experiences during the meeting." There was also a special session on the recent flood in Kerala and Karnataka, where around 2 lakh Sangh workers are working in the relieve work in both the southern states.
A close source who attended the meeting also added that Shah had also sought the cooperation of the RSS and its front outfits in testing the public pulse and explaining to them the good work done by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the last four years, which might help them in the impending Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and
Mizoram.
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, where the ruling BJP might face the anti-incumbency, the 10-days 'Pravas' of Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat in the state further keeps political significance.
His state-wise visit is going to start from September, 20. First, Bhagwat will stay in Jodhpur then on September 21-26 he will be staying in Nagaur city and will be meeting the local RSS leaders and workers.
On September 27 he will be staying in Jaipur for three days till September 30 and will attend the organisational programme. Sources say that Bhagwat may also meet some important state BJP leaders during his Jaipur halt, including chief minister Vasundhara Raje.
Besides, BJP chief Amit Shah is also going to visit the state on September 11. There, he will be visiting Jaipur for one day and will attend four programmes being organised by the party - Sahuarita (cooperative) Sammelan, Shakti Kendra Sammelan, Prabuddhdjan (intellectuals) Sammelan and a meeting with public representatives of local bodies. While on September 16, Shah will address a meeting of party workers in Jodhpur during BJP's Gaurav Yatra, which was to culminate in Jodhpur, a Congress stronghold.
Meanwhile, reports say that some of RSS functionaries in the state are critical of the government, how to connect with the people at a time when public anger was mounting and disappointment with the incumbent government was conspicuous; the BJP has urged people to repose their faith in the Vasundhara Raje government during the statewide yatra.