Lucknow: Amid widespread political and media speculation regarding a possible meeting to discuss the BJP’s poor performance in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha polls, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who had been in Gorakhpur for a five-day training program with swayamsevaks, departed for Delhi on Monday without meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
It remains unclear whether Adityanath, who was also in Gorakhpur, had officially sought a meeting with Bhagwat. However, their failure to meet has sparked political chatter, particularly following reports that the RSS was displeased with the BJP over certain remarks made by party leaders and the alleged disregard of the Sangh’s advice in candidate selection for the elections.
During his visit to Adityanath’s hometown of Gorakhpur, Bhagwat attended a training camp for swayamsevaks in Maniram. There was speculation that a meeting with Adityanath might occur during Bhagwat’s stay. Adityanath, arrived in Gorakhpur late Friday evening after visiting Varanasi, where PM Modi schedule to visit.
Sources indicated that Adityanath had twice sought to meet Bhagwat on Saturday, but received no response from the Bhagwat. An RSS official clarified that Bhagwat’s itinerary was set well in advance and could not be altered at the last minute.
Recently, Bhagwat commented that a true ‘sevak’ (servant) should not be ‘arrogant’ and should serve the people with dignity, remarks perceived as directed at the BJP. Sources suggest that the RSS was dissatisfied with the candidate selection in Uttar Pradesh, advising the BJP to replace many nominees. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won 62 seats, but managed only 32 seats this time.
Additionally, sources noted that RSS workers were less active in campaigning and mobilizing BJP supporters, potentially contributing to lower voter turnout in several areas. Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar remarked that arrogance was curbed at 241 by Lord Rama and those ‘anti-Ram’ secured only 234. Kumar later retracted his statement.
The absence of a meeting between Bhagwat and Adityanath has left many questions unanswered about the relationship between the RSS and BJP, especially in light of the recent electoral results.
