ON September 2, as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wrapped up its Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak, the three-day national coordination meeting of affiliate organisations, prachar pramukh Sunil Ambekar's press conference was buzzing with reporters. And he didn't disappoint, picking the opportunity to, as one participant put it, "drop a couple of bombs". For one, he clarified that the Sangh was in favour of the contentious national caste census (with riders, of course) and, two, he made a public admission of unresolved "issues" between the RSS and its ideological offspring, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules at the Centre.
Ambekar did clarify that it was a "family matter" which would be smoothened out through “discussions". But then he had already said enough to make the headlines the next day. The caste census, meant to bring equality of representation and opportunities to those on society's margins, has been a key demand of the Opposition, which the ruling party has in the past described as an attempt to "divide Hindu society". As for the 'family matter, BJP spokespersons went into no-comment mode, as did party president J.P. Nadda who had attended the baithak of the 40-odd Sangh affiliates in Palakkad, Kerala.
BJP-watchers say that while Ambekar said nothing new, it was the timing that set off alarms. The saffron party is going through a churn, with the unexpected reverses in the general election placing it on the back foot, unsure and indecisive after a very long time. What changes a few months have brought: in April, they were still talking about a commanding victory for the BJP, 370-plus seats was a sure thing, "chaar sau paar" was still on the table. Nadda was talking about the party being "self-sufficient", no longer an underling of the RSS, and allies in the states were climbing down from their perches, desperate to be accommodated at the high table.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
LIGHTING SPARKS OF INNOVATION
Education at the institute is about devising solutions that have the social reality of the country firmly at their centre
RELYING ON A 3-D APPROACH
Digitisation, diversification and diversity. IIM-K has built on these triple attributes to impart whole- some management education
CREATING WHOLE NEW ECOSYSTEMS
From a new programme in Health Management to another planned on blockchain technology, IIM-Lucknow is aiding innovation and capacity-building
HIGH ON PARTNERSHIP
IIM-Calcutta is training students to not just become business honchos, but also apply their skills to transform governance through collaborations
THE FUTURE IS IN THEIR HANDS
Business schools have a seminal role to play in building business leaders of tomorrow, one that will be led by technology
WELCOME TO BIHAR INC.
THE STATE IS TURNING A CORNER WITH A NEW, CONCERTED PUSH FOR INDUSTRIALISATION THAT HAS ATTRACTED Rs 12,000-CRORE WORTH OF INVESTMENT PROPOSALS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS
MANN UNDER FIRE
AS FARMERS’ PATIENCE WEARS THIN AND AAP’S CENTRAL LEADERSHIP TIGHTENS ITS GRIP ON PUNJAB’S GOVERNANCE, CHIEF MINISTER BHAGWANT MANN FACES A CRITICAL TEST
THE BIG FIGHT FOR LEGACY
THE STAGE IS SET FOR A HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN AS POLITICAL BIGWIGS AND PARIVARS VIE FOR CONTROL OF THE TRIBAL HEARTLAND
THE BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY SENA
THE PEOPLE’S VOTE WILL DECIDE WHO RULES MAHARASHTRA-BUT ALSO WHETHER THACKERAY OR SHINDE’S PARTY IS THE REAL SHIV SENA
RETURN OF 'CEO' NAIDU
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is back in his tech-savvy avatar.
