This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

RSS Asks BJP To Tone Down Communal Remarks. That's Right.

RSS Asks BJP To Tone Down Communal Remarks. That's Right.
Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Rao Bhagwat listens to a question during a press conference in New Delhi on August 28, 2009. Concerned over the current turmoil in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the RSS called for an end to the infighting in the party. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)
MANPREET ROMANA via Getty Images
Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Rao Bhagwat listens to a question during a press conference in New Delhi on August 28, 2009. Concerned over the current turmoil in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the RSS called for an end to the infighting in the party. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

When right wing outfit and BJP's ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is asking you to "tone down" communal remarks, you know you're really in trouble. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has apparently told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah that the party's election campaign in Bihar should have been "less shrill and more discreet" on communal politics.

Bhagwat's advice to Shah comes a day after BJP's spectacular defeat in the recently concluded Bihar elections. The Mahagathbandhan easily won the fiercely-fought election on Sunday, winning 178 seats of the total 243 constituencies.

According to reports, Shah and Bhagwat agreed that it was the the "social combination" of the Grand Alliance that proved deadly against the NDA, despite the no-holds-barred campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar.

Amit Shah reportedly also told Bhagwat that another reason for their loss was that they didn't have a "credible backward leader" in the Bihar battle. Bhagwat's comment on reservation policy did not affect the elections, Shah has said, according to reports.

The RSS chief’s suggestion for a review of reservation was seized by the grand alliance leaders who used it to rally backward castes, alleging that BJP planned to weaken it.

After the loss, a few party leaders including veteran MP Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav has said it was a major reason for their defeat.

A meeting of the BJP’s Parliamentary Board has been convened to analyse the results, its second successive defeat after the rout in Delhi assembly polls.

(with PTI inputs)

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

Lohri

Different Festivals Celebrated Across India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.