BJP’s integral wrangling for leaders to resolve: RSS

Displeased by internal wrangling in the BJP over choosing the prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has signalled a hands-off approach from the party, and decided to refrain from intervening unless the leadership seeks his advice.

Sources said while the RSS has taken a dim view of party patriarch LK Advani's recent blog post, running down the future prospects of a party that he himself nurtured, the Sangh wants the senior BJP leadership to deal with the octogenarian leader. “It is for the BJP to decide,” said a leader.

While Bhagwat is understood to be peeved with his remarks on the Narendra Modi-Nitish Kumar perceived rivalry being reportedly misinterpreted, the Sangh no longer appears to have intentions of putting more “pracharaks” into party work. Instead, it has decided to focus on non-political activities, and is planning country-wide celebrations for the 150 anniversary of Swami Vivekananda next year.

Although many right wing political analysts would take the Sangh's approach with a pinch of salt, the RSS appears to be looking beyond the 2014 elections for effecting a political change in the society. Even in the context of a second term for party president Nitin Gadkari, the RSS leadership wants the BJP to decide whether to give him the extension this December.