Reach Out To Agitated Farmers: RSS Advices BJP Ahead Of UP Assembly Elections
The BJP leaders were also advised to ensure that it does not isolate minorities and other caste groups in the run-up to the elections
Mumbai: Ahead of the polls in Uttar Pradesh in 2022, the RSS has raised a red flag to the BJP and asked it to reach out to the protesting farmers.
RSS joint general secretary Krishna Gopal met several BJP leaders from UP, particularly western UP, over the past week to take stock of the situation on the ground.
During the meetings held over days, the BJP leaders were also advised to ensure that it does not isolate minorities and other caste groups in the run-up to the elections.
“Neither the BJP nor the Sangh is anti-Muslim, anti-Sikh, anti-Jat, anti-Dalit or anti-farmers. However, one can argue facts and not perceptions. If a certain perception is being built, then it is important to rectify it, elections or not. A ruling dispensation has the responsibility to be and to be seen as an impartial upholder of the country’s well-being. And that is what we have been advising the BJP leaders as well,” said a senior Sangh ideologue on the condition of anonymity.
The meetings were an exercise in addressing fault lines before things went out of control, highly placed sources in the Sangh have confirmed. The violence in Lakhimpur Kheri and statements of some BJP leaders are leading to the image of the party being perceived negatively. RSS feeds that the party cannot take such risks, especially in poll-bound states.
The Sangh high command met the BJP leaders of various levels and regions in separate meetings, but the advice was the same: Work smoothly in addressing the angst of the agitating farmers.
While RSS does not interfere with electoral politics, it has been pivotal in coordinating with the party on governance. However, it feels duty-bound to suggest a course correction as and if it deems fit, says the source.
The RSS has publicly expressed displeasure over the farmers’ protests. However, now it has changed its stand.
“The Sangh has always been of the view that the solution to any problem is through talks and dialogues. There is nothing that cannot be resolved through peaceful negotiations. Protesting for the sake of protests has not achieved any good. We have consistently held that the farmers should hold talks with the Centre till a peaceful and negotiated settlement could be arrived at,” the ideologue said.
They added, “However, those who intend to make the farmers’ protests a political gain should be called out. They are not only doing a disservice to the agrarian community, but to the entire nation.”
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