(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
The three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha meeting of the RSS is currently underway in Bengaluru. The meeting, which started on March 21, will continue until March 23. Although the officially stated agenda is to review preparations for the RSS’s centenary celebrations and determine the structure of various events, programs, and campaigns related to it, everyone knows that there is an unofficial agenda as well—linked to the selection of the new BJP president.
Sources indicate that just before this meeting, BJP’s General Secretary (Organization) B.L. Santhosh and Arun Kumar, who manages coordination between the RSS and BJP, had a one-on-one discussion regarding the next BJP president.
The RSS’s main concern was that despite multiple efforts, its expectations and objectives were not effectively communicated to the top leadership of the BJP. The responsibility for this was entrusted to party president J.P. Nadda, along with B.L. Santhosh and Arun Kumar. However, they failed to keep Narendra Modi updated on the RSS’s genuine concerns.
There is also speculation that RSS leadership is unhappy with the way B.L. Santhosh has been functioning. As a result, a new discussion has emerged—since Santhosh seems more interested in political operations, why not send him to Bengaluru as the new BJP president of Karnataka? Reports suggest that Modi and Shah are also in favor of this idea.
When the RSS leadership asked Arun Kumar who he thought was the most suitable candidate for BJP’s next president, he unhesitatingly put forward the name of Manohar Lal Khattar. However, RSS leaders reminded him that he had been advocating for Khattar ever since his time as a Pracharak in Haryana. They also pointed out that Khattar is actually a bigger favorite of Narendra Modi than of Arun Kumar.
Despite this, Arun Kumar stood his ground, arguing that at this moment, there is no better organizational leader than Manohar Lal Khattar. He insisted that Khattar’s deep-rooted RSS background ensures that he will work in alignment with the organization’s ideology as BJP president.
Changing Stance of Conrad Sangma
(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is well aware that being the CM of a Catholic-majority state, where politics revolves around Christian voters, remaining in the NDA for too long could harm his voter base. Hence, he had been looking for a reason to exit the NDA.
When BJP’s political strategist got wind of this, Conrad was immediately summoned to Delhi for a meeting. Sources say that when Conrad met Amit Shah, he was bluntly asked:
“You want to leave the NDA, but why? We have always treated you with respect, never personally attacked you, and even overlooked certain shortcomings because we know your interests. We know that by 4 PM, you enjoy a drink while playing your guitar, with your Chief Secretary accompanying you on the tabla. We never made an issue of it. And now, you want to leave the NDA?”
This left Conrad speechless. After returning to Meghalaya Bhavan, where his close aides were waiting, he reportedly told them:
“Amit Shah is like a father figure to me. I can never disregard his words. But make sure that this meeting does not leak to the media.”
Why is Shashi Tharoor Acting Arrogant?
(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
For some time now, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been behaving differently. Despite party opposition, he has been praising Modi and BJP while taking indirect digs at his own leadership.
As the Kerala Assembly elections approach, speculation about Tharoor joining the BJP is gaining momentum. He has a strong connection with Piyush Goyal, and recently, he even posted a photo with him on social media.
Sources say that Goyal assured Tharoor of an upcoming meeting with Amit Shah. However, Tharoor requested to meet directly with the PM instead.
Goyal then reportedly hinted that BJP was considering him as its Chief Ministerial face in Kerala. To this, Tharoor responded:
“That’s fine, but we all know BJP is not winning Kerala this time. However, I will travel across the state, build momentum for BJP, and lay the groundwork for the future. In return, I just need an assurance from the PM that after the Kerala elections, I will be given a place in his Cabinet in Delhi.”
Apparently, Piyush Goyal did not give him a definite assurance.
Rahul Gandhi Distancing Himself from the ‘PAK Report’
(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
After losing the Haryana and Maharashtra elections, Congress is now taking a cautious approach. Recently, after extensive ground surveys and analysis, a strategy document was presented to the Congress high command on how to win upcoming elections in Punjab, Assam, and Kerala.
This document was called the ‘PAK Report’, where ‘P’ stood for Punjab, ‘A’ for Assam, and ‘K’ for Kerala.
While Rahul Gandhi liked the content of the report, he jokingly remarked:
“Don’t you think we should rename this report? At least, don’t call it ‘PAK.’ BJP already calls us anti-national. If this leaks, they’ll come after us again!”
Thus, a decision was made to change the report’s name, possibly to ‘KAP Report’. However, this too raised concerns about offending the Khap communities.
Changes Expected in Bihar Congress
(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
Observers of Congress believe that a cleansing of sleeper cells within the party has begun. The first casualty of this was Akhilesh Prasad Singh, the then Bihar Congress president.
Rahul Gandhi wanted a leader who would work to strengthen Congress at the grassroots level, rather than merely advocating for alliance politics. However, Akhilesh Prasad was a close ally of Mallikarjun Kharge, who defended him, arguing that changing the Bihar Congress chief just six months before the elections would be unwise.
But Rahul played the Dalit card, pushing for Rajesh Ram as the new state president. Kharge, despite his influence, couldn’t oppose a Dalit candidate.
Rahul’s Meeting with Akhilesh Prasad
(Tridib Raman – News Trust of India)
Following Akhilesh Prasad’s removal, his son created an uproar in Bihar’s political circles. When Rahul Gandhi learned about this, he quickly invited Akhilesh Prasad for a meeting.
Since Akhilesh was already in Delhi, he promptly met Rahul. The two had a long discussion on Bihar elections.
Rahul was aware that previous Bihar Congress presidents who were removed immediately switched to rival parties, including Ashok Choudhary, Anil Sharma, Ram Jatan Singh, and Mehboob Ali Kaiser.
The Congress leadership also knows that JDU and BJP have their eyes on 12 Congress MLAs in Bihar. Hence, Rahul took steps to prevent any more desertions.
www.parliamentarian.in
