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Political Desk, Delhi Magazine: In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of securing a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite becoming the largest party with 240 seats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious claim of ‘Abki Baar 400 Paar’ remained unfulfilled. The results have sparked internal criticism within the party and the broader Sangh Parivar, with prominent RSS leaders attributing the setback to arrogance and a disconnect from grassroots work.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Subtle Rebuke
A few days after the election results, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a pointed statement without naming anyone, suggesting that a true servant should never be arrogant. Bhagwat implied that BJP leaders, dazzled by the charisma of PM Modi, had neglected on-the-ground work. This statement fueled speculation about a rift between the RSS and the BJP, with many interpreting it as a direct critique of the party’s leadership.
At an RSS program, Mohan Bhagwat ji addressed the ongoing issue in Manipur, highlighting that the state has been yearning for peace for the past year. He noted that Manipur had enjoyed ten years of tranquility, giving the impression that the era of violence had ended. However, the sudden resurgence of conflict has reignited turmoil and left the region in distress, pleading for assistance. Bhagwat emphasized the urgent need to prioritize and address this issue, stating that it is our duty to give it the consideration it deserves.
Indresh Kumar’s Direct Attack
Adding to the controversy, Indresh Kumar, a member of the National Executive of the RSS, openly criticized the BJP’s performance in the elections. Without mentioning specific names, Kumar attributed the party’s reduced seat count to arrogance. “Ram does justice to everyone. What happened in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? Those who had worshipped Ram but became arrogant. Therefore, they should have become the biggest party, they should have got full rights, but they did not get the power that they should have got. Lord Ram did not let them get full majority due to their arrogance,” Kumar stated.
He further emphasized that due to this arrogance, divine intervention prevented the BJP from achieving the 400-seat mark, leaving them with only 240 seats. “It is as if God has said that this is the punishment for your lack of faith,” he remarked during a recent program. Kumar underscored that arrogance in the name of devotion to Ram leads to one’s downfall, reiterating that Ram does justice without discrimination.
Context of the Criticism
The BJP’s defeat in Ayodhya, a significant stronghold, underscored the criticism. Despite the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in January, which the BJP hoped to leverage as a key electoral issue, the party’s candidate was defeated by the Samajwadi Party (SP). This loss symbolized a broader decline in BJP’s seat count compared to previous elections.
Mohan Bhagwat’s Call to Action
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had earlier highlighted the need for humility and diligent work. Speaking in Nagpur, he emphasized, “A true servant is not arrogant. He serves people with dignity. One who is truly a servant works with dignity.” This comment, coming before Indresh Kumar’s statements, set the tone for the RSS’s critical stance on the BJP’s approach.