Sangh affiliates get key posts in commissions

In an apparent bid to mend ties with its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed several individuals with close ties to the Sangh to key positions in Uttar Pradesh's Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes (SC) Commissions.

- Biswajeet Banerjee

Approximately 40% of the posts in both commissions are now held by people with an RSS background.

Tensions between the BJP and the RSS in Uttar Pradesh have been speculated since before the Lok Sabha elections, with reports suggesting that Sangh workers did not fully mobilize in support of the BJP during the polls. This lack of enthusiasm was seen as a contributing factor to the BJP's underperformance in key constituencies.

In response, the BJP has started making strategic appointments to placate RSS leaders and cadres, particularly ahead of crucial by-elections to 10 assembly seats.

"The recent appointments reflect an increased influence of RSS-affiliated individuals in various state bodies," political analyst Rajendra Kumar said.