By – Shubhendra Rajawat
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is now focused on shaping the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the post-Modi era. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the supreme leader of the BJP as long as he holds office, the RSS is already working to build the next line of leadership. Key figures in this new leadership group include Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and now, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The recent victories in Haryana and Maharashtra have given the BJP a fresh boost after facing a setback in the Lok Sabha elections. While the party credits its success to Modi’s popularity and Shah’s strategic leadership, the RSS, which typically operates behind the scenes, has openly acknowledged the contributions of its thousands of volunteers. The RSS has worked extensively in these states, holding thousands of meetings to guide the party’s election strategies.
Rebuilding After the Lok Sabha Setback: After the BJP’s relatively poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party could win only around 240 seats, the RSS took charge to ensure success in state elections. The BJP struggled to reach a majority on its own and had to rely on its allies to form a government. This shift highlighted a growing reliance on the RSS, which had been largely absent from the party’s direct campaigning in recent years. The RSS’s intervention became evident as it helped guide the party’s strategy and brought cohesion among its ranks.
The success of the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra can be attributed not just to the leadership of Modi and Shah, but also to the disciplined efforts of RSS volunteers. Reports suggest that the RSS organized over 20,000 meetings in Haryana alone, while the number was even higher in Maharashtra. The organization also crafted the political discourse for the state elections, including the popular slogan, “Batenge to katenge,” initiated by Yogi Adityanath, which was endorsed by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. This slogan helped unify the Hindu vote base, countering the opposition’s efforts to polarize communities along caste and religious lines.
Maharashtra’s Political Drama and RSS Influence: The selection of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister was a key moment for the RSS to exert its influence within the BJP. After the BJP’s poor showing in the 2024 elections, Fadnavis’s political stature had been questioned, and he had even offered to resign from his position as Deputy Chief Minister. However, following intense deliberations and resistance from within the party, the RSS backed Fadnavis and played a decisive role in ensuring his return as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister.
This political drama not only reaffirmed the RSS’s role as a power center within the BJP but also underscored the organization’s growing influence in shaping the party’s leadership. The RSS’s key objective is to build a leadership pipeline for the party that will guide it through future challenges, especially the 2029 and subsequent general elections.
Preparing for the Future: The RSS is now preparing for the future of the BJP by focusing on the party’s leadership beyond 2024. With the party looking to strengthen its organizational base, the RSS is considering appointing a new party president who is both loyal to the RSS ideology and capable of running the party with its vision. This new president will play a crucial role in guiding the BJP’s future political strategies, ensuring it is ready for the challenges ahead.
While the RSS remains mindful of its support for Modi, it is keen to ensure that the party remains autonomous and does not become overly reliant on government power centers. The RSS is also taking care not to alienate popular BJP faces like Modi, ensuring that any leadership changes are made with his consent and cooperation.
The RSS aims to avoid repeating the mistakes of the post-Atal Bihari Vajpayee era, where the BJP struggled to maintain its hold on power after Vajpayee’s government ended. With the 2029 elections in mind, the RSS is determined to build a leadership that can secure BJP’s future while preserving the party’s ideological core.
Conclusion: The RSS is taking proactive steps to prepare for the post-Modi era in the BJP, ensuring that the party is well-positioned to face the challenges of future elections. By nurturing new leaders and strengthening its organizational structure, the RSS aims to ensure that the BJP remains a dominant political force for years to come.