THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The simmering feeling that active involvement of its leadership and the cadre in the affairs of the BJP and its politics has hit its day to day work has resulted in the RSS taking a backseat in the campaigning in the byelection to five assembly constituencies in the state.
Over the last six years, Kerala has seen a plethora of elections ranging from local bodies, assembly, assembly by-elections and Lok Sabha elections in which the head of the Sangh parivar was an active participant and it got reflected in the increasing share of votes, too. On the flipside, this had led the state RSS leadership to focus more on the electioneering for BJP candidates. The RSS leadership is also mindful of the fact that the work of the thousands of RSS workers spread across the 6000-odd shakhas in elections did not translate directly to seats. This led the RSS top brass to revive the day to day activities of the shakhas across the state.
A senior RSS leader based in Kannur told DC that over the last two months, the RSS leadership has been busy travelling the length and breadth of the state taking steps to revive the shakhas which have been lax.
“Thousands of RSS workers have commented on the social media that despite their dedication in campaigning, the BJP candidates have been unsuccessful in Kerala. It has affected their day to day work for the Sangh. They are willing to render full support, but it shouldn't be happening at the compromise of losing its strength when Kerala has got the maximum number of workers", said a senior RSS leader.
A senior state BJP leader confirmed that RSS workers are yet to take an active role in the five by-election constituencies.
RSS state secretary/prantha karyava-hak P. Gopalankutty Master had earlier told DC that there is no particular situation in the RSS to work diligently.
"We have always been undertaking door to door rigorous campaign across the state which is a regular activity," he said.
BJP leaders are hopeful that after the Vijayadashami celebrations are over, the RSS workers will be active in the election campaigning.
