In the wake of the BJP’s underwhelming performance in the recent general elections, the party has received a public nudge from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Addressing a group of RSS trainees in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced concerns this evening regarding the violence in Manipur and the outcomes of the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.
For the first time since the outbreak of violence in Manipur in May last year, Mohan Bhagwat spoke about the northeastern state, emphasising the urgent need for peace. “Manipur has been waiting for peace for a year. Violence has to be stopped and it has to be given priority,” he stated.
Highlighting the country’s progress in various fields, Bhagwat remarked, “We have made strides in many fields like economy, defence strategy, sports, culture, technology etc… That does not mean that we have overcome all the challenges.”
In his address, Mohan Bhagwat also offered guidance to the newly formed government, suggesting a revised approach to both elections and governance.
Also Read: Manipur CM’s security team ambushed amid violence in Jiribam district
He underscored the importance of consensus-building in the parliamentary process, noting, “Election is a process of building consensus. Parliament has two sides so that both aspects of any question can be considered… Every issue has two sides. If one side is addressed by one party, the Opposition party should address the other dimension, so that we reach to the right decision.”
These remarks were perceived as an acknowledgment of the essential role of the Opposition. Despite the BJP’s aim for a “Congress-free India (Congress-mukt Bharat),” the Congress party has made a notable comeback in this election, increasing its seats from 52 in 2019 to 99. The BJP’s seat count fell to 240, significantly below the majority mark of 272, while the Opposition secured 234 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Mohan Bhagwat clarified that the RSS is not concerned with the specifics of the election results. “The Sangh works for refining public opinion in every election, did it this time also but does not get entangled in the analysis of the outcome… Why do people get elected? To go to parliament, evolve a consensus on various issues. Our tradition is of evolving consensus… This is a competition not war,” he said.
However, he expressed discontent over the negativity prevalent during the election period. “The way things have happened, the way both sides have attacked below the belt, the way completely ignored the impact of campaign strategies that would lead to divisions, increasing social and mental fault-lines, and unnecessarily drew organizations like RSS in the same. Using technology, falsehood was spread, absolute falsehood,” he remarked.
The speech by Mohan Bhagwat highlights the need for a more constructive political discourse and a focus on consensus-building, amid the challenges faced by the BJP and the broader political landscape.
