There are signs of disquiet within the RSS over the BJP’s Lok Sabha poll performance.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that “there is decorum even in contesting elections, but that decorum was not followed”.  And an article in RSS-affiliated magazine Organiser has suggested that the BJP lost many seats as party leaders and workers did not reach out to the RSS for help, the Indian Express reported.

“The false ego that only BJP leaders understand ‘realpolitik’ and RSS cousins were village bumpkins is smirk worthy,” wrote Ratan Sharda, a lifelong RSS member, in Organiser. “RSS is not a field force of BJP. In fact, BJP, the biggest party in the world, has its own karyakartas (workers). The routine electoral work of reaching out to voters, explaining party agenda, distributing literature and voter cards, etc. are its responsibility.”

While the polls were underway, BJP chief JP Nadda had said that the party had grown from the time it needed the RSS.

“Results of 2024 general elections have come as a reality check for overconfident BJP ‘karyakartas’ and many leaders. They did not realise that Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s call of 400+ was a target for the BJP and a dare to the Opposition. Targets are achieved by hard work on the field, not sharing posters and selfies on social media. Since they were happy in their bubble, enjoying the glow reflected from Modiji’s aura, they were not listening to the voices on the ground,” Sharda reportedly wrote.

Meanwhile, at an RSS event in Nagpur on Monday, Mohan Bhagwat hailed the NDA government and said that “everything will go on as per the people’s verdict”.

He also had some points of criticism. 

“It’s been a year since Manipur has been waiting for peace. The state remained peaceful for the last 10 years but suddenly the gun culture increased again. It is important to resolve the conflict on priority.”

Bhagwat also said that the opposition must not be seen as an enemy. “It is called opposition…it should not be considered an adversary. Their opinions should also come to light…there is dignity in contesting elections.”

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