NEWS
ANALYSIS
SPECIALS
INTERVIEW
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
ISSUES
GALLERY
MANIFESTOS
OVERHEARD
INDIA SPEAKS!
DISCUSSION GROUP
CHAT
PREVIOUS RESULTS

BJP will retain key portfolios this time

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party will assert itself to retain all key portfolios and push the Hindutva agenda more aggressively if voted to power this time, sources in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said.

Among the portfolios that the RSS wants the BJP to retain is defence, currently held by the Samata Party's George Fernandes.

According to a senior RSS official, the initial assessment is that the BJP-led coalition will return to power "with a comfortable majority" and "the next government will implement our agenda better".

The official, a key strategist of the Sangh Parivar, said that if the BJP gets around 200 seats on its own, the party will "insist on retaining all core ministries, including defence".

"Now we know where we lagged behind and where we can improve. The next government will be more effective in implementing our agenda," he told rediff.com

In the run-up to the election, the RSS and affiliated organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Swadeshi Jagran Manch have held several rounds of meetings to finalise strategies to push the BJP's campaign.

The key focus, they agree, is the victory in Kargil. A senior RSS leader hinted that the Sangh Parivar is not completely satisfied with the way defence matters have been handled by Fernandes. "It would have been different had a BJP leader been holding the portfolio," he said.

He said the attempt of Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi to push the Hindutva agenda was "proof that the right man in the right place" can give a boost to the Sangh's plans.

"Last time we were not prepared and did not have the needed majority to push forward necessary reforms in education," he said.

The RSS leader hinted that next time the BJP would try to introduce a "more convincing reform programme" in education, and steps in this direction are already under way. "The successful implementation of schemes such as the National Reconstruction Corps without much controversy is indication that if pushed in the right manner, reforms are possible," he said.

The BJP-led government recently launched the National Reconstruction Corps, a village-level network of youth for implementing government schemes.

He said the SJM, VHP and other affiliates of the Sangh are "pursuing their policies independent of the coalition", and a better "synergy will be achieved between the BJP government and the rest of the Sangh Parivar" once "the BJP comes to power with a more convincing majority".

The SJM has already started a nationwide programme to awaken people to the swadeshi mantra in the run-up to the polls.

The RSS leader said the different agendas being pursued by its frontal organisations will be implemented in a "more co-ordinated manner once the new government is in power".

Accepting that it is Atal Bihari Vajpayee's image that is going to be the major catchphrase in the campaign, the sources said RSS members will be campaigning "vigorously for the BJP" and to project Vajpayee's achievements.

On the controversial Ayodhya issue, the Sangh member said the VHP is "pursuing its construction programme independent of the BJP".

He said fabrication of parts of the temple is proceeding at various sites in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. "The construction will begin at an appropriate time," he said.

For the absence of the temple issue from the National Democratic Alliance's agenda, he had a simple explanation: "It is not the alliance's programme, but ours."

He added that the Sangh Parivar does not need "political clearance or political power" to construct the temple. "It is very much on our agenda," he asserted.

The RSS leader said the Sangh's initial assessment is that the BJP-led alliance will return to power with a "convincing majority". But "once the campaign picks up, a wave in favour of the BJP is possible" which may take the final tally beyond 320.

He said the BJP's ultimate aim is not to lead a coalition government, "but to come to power on its own, and we think it will be possible in the immediate future".

Tell us what you think of this report