THE NATION ■ BJP SHARAD SAXENA The visit was significant in that it was Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, the first time in nearly a decade that the Naidu has begun inducting only RSS top party leadership had gone to the RSS cadres in the BJP. He has been in office for office to discuss politics and settle thorny less than a year, but the number of RSS- issues. In the nearly 90 minutes that sponsored office-bearers has already UNITED COLOURS Naidu spent with the RSS leaders, he gone up from 40 to 55. All have been sought their help to tame the belligerent given key positions—organisation sec- VHP cadres, help the BJP contain its grow- retaries—in important states (see box). ing indiscipline and induct fresh blood in Naidu defends his excessive depen- the party in the states. Later, Devi told dence on the RSS by saying they are in a INDIA TODAY, “Venkaiahji has been in reg- better position to ensure discipline in the OF SAFFRON ular touch with us. He is not hesitant party. “They have been through the Venkaiah Naidu is fast bridging the BJP-RSS divide about having a dialogue with the RSS and grind and know what to do.” Till the BJP considering our suggestions.’’ came to power at the Centre, its leaders in a bid to gear the party for crucial year-end polls In the past too, BJP presidents have took pride in referring to it as a “party had strong links with the RSS but none with a difference”. If the slogan is not RSS leadership on administrative and po- has been as demonstrative as Naidu. used anymore, it is because most of its ■ by Prabhu CHAWLA litical developments in the states and at Ignoring the political fallout of his ac- state units are plagued with groupism NE-LINERS COME NATU- the Centre. Says Naidu: “A political party tions—at least some partners in the NDA and indiscipline. rally to BJP President M. Ven- cannot afford to be apologetic about its are likely to disapprove—Naidu with a kaiah Naidu. Shortly after he ideology.’’ Unless Naidu is restrained by clear agenda in mind has been engi- N states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattis- took over as party chief last some sort of political backlash, the Gov- neering a bonding with various Sangh garh and Karnataka, a large number year, he was asked about the ernment and the BJP may end up as enti- outfits. Realising that it was not the Op- of party MLAs have defected to OBJP RSS RSS RSS RSS ’s equations with its partners in the ties of the , by the and for the . position but the leaders who had Iother parties and become ministers. NDA. His reply: “We will march with the The Modi Mantra, it seems, is finally be- caused maximum damage to the credi- In the Himachal Pradesh assembly polls BJP’s jhanda (flag) and NDA’s agenda.” But ing imposed at the national level. bility of the BJP and the NDA Government, on February 26, every fourth BJP candi- if his recent utterances and actions are With important assembly elections Naidu chose to reach out to them directly date faces a party rebel, some of whom any indication, Naidu’s new slogan may due later this year and the Lok Sabha and offer them important positions both are more formidable opponents than the well be “BJP ka jhanda, RSS ka agenda.” In polls in 2004, Naidu believes only the in the Government and the party. Congress candidates. BJP insiders admit the past six months, Naidu has been Sangh ideology can ensure victory for Naidu’s flirtation with the Sangh that in many states the RSS cadres are slowly, but surely, pushing both the party the BJP. Which is why he recently began Parivar began shortly after the BJP was leading agitations against the BJP and the and the Government to return to the to reach out to the RSS leadership after a mauled in last year’s assembly elections NDA Government, while party organs like Sangh Parivar philosophy. long time. Accompanied by four general in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Panchjanya and Organiser have been In a recent reorganisation in several secretaries—Pramod Mahajan, Rajnath Uttar Pradesh. But the Gujarat elec- critical of Government’s policies. There state units, Naidu ensured that most of Singh, Mukhtar Naqvi and Anita tions proved what perfect coordination is, of course, the Swadeshi Jagran the new office-bearers were drawn from Arya—he drove down to the RSS head- with the RSS could yield. As a Union cab- Manch which frequently takes to the the RSS. Of late, he has also been encour- quarters at Jhandewalan in Delhi last inet minister says succinctly, “The BJP streets to oppose the Vajpayee Govern- aging an open dialogue between the week. The RSS was represented by its CEO minus RSS translates into Jammu and ment’s economic policies. Government and various Parivar outfits. Mohan Rao Bhagwat, COO Madan Das defeat. The BJP plus Sangh Parivar Naidu realises that to a large extent Most important, he has directed some Devi, additional spokesperson Ram Mad- means Gujarat and massive mandate. the party’s resurgence depends on clos- cabinet ministers and chief ministers in hav, and BJP Vice-President representing There is no choice.” ing ranks with the RSS. He has already re- the BJP-ruled states to regularly brief the the RSS in the party, Bal Apte. Armed with the approval of both quested the prime minister to meet the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and RSS leadership periodically and listen to INTERVIEW ■ M. VENKAIAH NAIDU Q. Do you draw inspiration from Q. What is your aim for the next “We in the BJP draw the RSS for governance also? Lok Sabha elections? A. No, governance is decided by the A. Three hundred seats for the BJP NDA agenda. But if you look at the min- and two-thirds majority for the NDA. inspiration from the RSS” isters, their behaviour, their conduct, Q. Will you face the next elections they draw discipline from the RSS. with the same allies? THE BJP PRESIDENT SPOKE TO merely removing these anomalies. Q. If you have to make a choice A. Yes, because we understand Editor PRABHU CHAWLA. Excerpts: Q. Your emphasis is on ideology between the RSS and the NDA, which each other better than earlier. rather than other issues. would you prefer? Q. And the NDA leadership? Q. Are you running the Govern- A. No, the main agenda of this A. There is no need for that. It’s A. As long as Vajpayee is active in ment for India or the Sangh Parivar? Government is good governance. not like the Janata Party where people public life, he is the leader. A. We are running the Government Q. What about its performance? were asked to make a choice between Q. Is there no succession battle? for India. India includes, among other A. It is the most efficient and the party and the RSS. A. There is no battle at all. things, the NDA, the BJP and the Parivar transparent government ever. Not a Q. You are now a part of a coalition, Q. Do you think India will ever also. Anyway, I don’t understand this single minister is facing any charge. but ultimately your aim is to fight elec- accept a foreign-born leader? fixation with the Parivar. Q. The BJP is facing problems of tions on your own. Is that right? A. That is the Congress’ problem. It Q. But you are accused of misusing indiscipline. Are you seeking the A. As of today, my agenda is social is for them to worry about. the Government to favour the Parivar. help of the RSS to ensure discipline? and political expansion of the party. A. For 47 years, everything was A. Definitely. We in the BJP draw There are areas where we are weak— Full text of the interview at: reserved for some people who were our inspiration from the RSS which is IN SYNC: Naidu (left) has Vajpayee’s in the south and east and among mi- close to the people in power. We are devoted and disciplined. approval to bridge the RSS-BJP gap norities. These have to be corrected. ■ THE NATION RSS BRIGADE their views even if they are not in tune level RSS leadership. Similarly, Law Min- with the NDA agenda. In the past couple ister Arun Jaitley was advised to ap- Key posts in BJP state units of months, Devi has met both Vajpayee point a large number of RSS supporters have been gifted to RSS men and Advani at least twice. At these as legal counsels to various public-sec- meetings where Naidu was present, tor undertakings and government de- PRAKASH CHANDER, 47 Devi referred to RSS’ reservations on partments, and also asked to brief RSS RAJASTHAN various government policies, even its leaders on the Tokyo round of WTO A full-time RSS dislike of certain individuals for key talks. Meanwhile, Human Resource member, he has posts. That perhaps explains why Devi Development Minister M.M. Joshi is worked closely was informed about the selection of the working closely with the RSS leadership with the state new ministers and even allocation of in filling up senior posts in universities. BJP leadership. portfolios in the recent cabinet reshuf- Urban Development Minister Ananth Appointed state fle. For instance, it was on the insistence Kumar never lets shortage of land in organising of the RSS that Arun Shourie was di- Delhi stand in his way of allotting large secretary.