The critical reference to the government policies in the resolution on agriculture, adopted by the apex decision-making body of the RSS Pratinidhi Sabha at Nagpur will further strain the relation between the government and the Sangh Parivar.
The brief resolution, which advocates continuance of the farm subsidy, comes in the backdrop of a meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh where the latter insisted not to roll back fertiliser prices.
Singh met Vajpayee on Saturday amid speculations that the Prime Minister will convene a meeting of NDA partners to resolve the issue.
Just before the Vajpayee- Singh meeting, the Pratinidhi Sabha decided not to tread on beaten track by not adopting economic resolution to spell out its priorities.
It adopted the resolution on the agriculture to express its displeasure on the gradual reduction in agriculture subsidy and hike in cost of agriculture inputs, like power, diesel and fertiliser.
Though the Sangh leadership was cautious not to mention hikes in fertiliser and diesel prices to avoid a confrontionist posture, the inference relates to the Budget proposals.
"The context is obvious, we have not stated it in clear terms," said a senior RSS leader. The Parivar's perception on the agriculture appears to be in tune with the BJP leadership but not in agreement with the government.
This was articulated by BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu when immediately after the Budget he demanded a rollback of the hike in fertiliser prices.
However, BJP leaders were directed to keep 'silent on the issue' and leave it to the Prime Minister's discretion.
According to sources, Singh's meeting with Vajpayee was aimed at convincing the prime minister of the administrative fallout if, under pressure, it was decided to roll back hikes.
"This is a decision taken after deliberations at every level," sources said.
However, the government is under pressure from the coalition partners like Union Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, the Samata Party ministers and the TDP to roll back fertiliser price hike.
Speaking on the Budget in Jaipur, Ajit Singh said he was 'upset' with the hike of excise duty on fertilisers and the raise in petrol and diesel rates.
He would raise the problems faced by farmers with the finance minister in Parliament.
In the Hindutva fold, even senior BJP ministers have been lending support to those demanding the rollback.
"This is a politically incorrect decision," said a senior BJP minister. The Sangh's unambiguous resolution has limited the government's option and has elated those demanding a rollback.
PM hints at flexibility
The 30-minute meeting between Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Saturday was to discuss how the debate on the Budget in Parliament should be handled by the government.
"Interventions will come up both by BJP leaders as well from the Opposition. The finance minister sought the prime minister's guidelines on how these should be tackled," sources said.
This indicates that despite the finance minister's insistence that there should be no rollback of the decision to cut fertiliser subsidy, the government is ensuring that there is flexibility on the issue.
Before a Cabinet meeting last week, Singh had made it clear that no rollback should be insisted upon because it would not affect farmers in any substantial way.
Although Vajpayee is reportedly in agreement with Singh, political pressures might force him to reduce the subsidy cut if not roll it back altogether.
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