Minhaj Merchant’s column – Will the results of Haryana change the BJP-Sangh equations? | मिन्हाज मर्चेंट का कॉलम: हरियाणा के नतीजे भाजपा-संघ समीकरणों को बदलेंगे?

Minhaj Merchant, Author, Publisher and Editor

BJP’s sensational victory in Haryana will not only have an impact on national politics, but its effects will also be visible on the internal dynamics of the Sangh Parivar. It is not a hidden thing from anyone that after the BJP did not perform as expected in the Lok Sabha elections, complications had arisen in the relations between the BJP and the Sangh. In such a situation, the question is whether Haryana’s victory will change the BJP-Sangh equations by increasing the electoral strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is reticent by nature. That’s why when they speak their words carry weight. His words are closely monitored and analyzed carefully. And Bhagwat has not disappointed political analysts in recent months! The Congress-led opposition sees in Bhagwat’s public statements a veiled criticism of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his first public speech after the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were declared, Bhagwat had said: ‘A true servant cannot be egoistic.’ Although the RSS immediately denied that the comment was directed at Modi, its national executive member Indresh Kumar did add that ‘people have limited the arrogant party to 240 seats.’ The Sangh tried to do damage-control by calling Indresh Kumar’s comments as his ‘personal views’.

The BJP has consistently dismissed questions about its differences with the Sangh. However, he admitted that the RSS was not as active on the ground in the Lok Sabha elections as before. Was it because of BJP President JP Nadda’s comment during the elections, in which Nadda had said that the BJP no longer needs the Sangh for election campaigning? However, he immediately clarified that what he meant was that the party’s dependence on the Sangh is less than before, but that the two work closely together.

When the Sangh wants to convey a message, it often does so through its favorite cabinet minister, Nitin Gadkari. It is no secret that Modi and Gadkari are often not on the same wave-length. Despite being a former BJP president and a top performing Union minister, Nagpur resident Gadkari is not close to Modi.

Last Friday, at an event to mark the inauguration of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue in Sangli, Maharashtra – where Sharad Pawar was also present – Gadkari bluntly said: There is often talk of making India ‘self-reliant’, a five trillion economy and a world leader. Talk is done, but if we want all this, we have to start by bringing change within ourselves.

However, the conflict between BJP and Sangh is not a new thing. Atal Bihari Vajpayee also had to find his way among the agenda of the Sangh during the liberalization of the economy. The union was not in favor of privatization, but Atalji appointed Arun Shourie as disinvestment minister and successfully sold public sector units like Hindustan Zinc.

However, Modi, who is considered an economic reformer in Gujarat, has not maintained Atalji’s privatization agenda. Apart from LIC and Air India, no significant privatization has taken place in the last three years.

Despite the victory in Haryana and a good fight in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP will face a tough challenge in Maharashtra next month. The BJP-led NDA has a simple majority in the Lok Sabha and is close to a majority in the Rajya Sabha. But if the number of its MLAs in Maharashtra falls below 105, then its number of MPs in the Rajya Sabha will reduce in future. One Country One Election Bill requires a two-thirds majority in both houses to pass.

However, the differences between Modi and the RSS are not as serious as the opposition would like to believe. Modi always likes to work alone. Apart from Amit Shah, there is hardly anyone close to him. Whereas the union is accustomed to a more open way of doing things. With 240 seats, perhaps Atal ji’s conciliatory liberal style would prove more useful.

Despite victory in Haryana, BJP will face a tough challenge in Maharashtra next month. If the number of its MLAs in Maharashtra falls below 105, its number of MPs in the Rajya Sabha will reduce in future. (These are the author’s own views)