THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The RSS in the state, which is concerned about its dwindling prospects against the growth of the BJP leadership, has brought more than 100 former pracharaks, who had practically stopped their association with it, back to the fold to strengthen it. The RSS had slowed down its work after the BJP's increased vote share in the Assembly elections, but the parivar has intensified its activities of late.
The RSS decision to convert BJP’s booth committees into RSS shakhas had created a hue and cry and it was cancelled owing to pressure from several quarters. The RSS has tightened its hold on the BJP which has not gone down well with the central BJP leadership. This prompted national president Amit Shah to ensure that the BJP state core committee members directly report to him.
A BJP leader told DC that the RSS leadership had ‘swallowed’ the state BJP as per their agenda. It is claimed that scores of former RSS pracharaks who had severed ties with the RSS and had been working in private and government institutions have returned to the fold, especially retired officials. “A sum of Rs 400 crore was spent for the Assembly elections by the BJP. Only a handful of top RSS and BJP leaders had access to the poll funds. Money had reached the places where the BJP had fielded strong candidates. Now the RSS leadership is not keen to loosen its grip on the party,” said the leader.
It is alleged that state BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan has been showing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar. RSS state secretary and Prantha Karyavahak P. Gopalankutty Master told DC that currently Kerala has the highest number of 4,500 daily shakhas and 1,100 weekly and fortnightly shakhas. “It is not true that we have recalled our former pracharaks. Several pracharaks are attached to their home making them inactive. Also, several pracharaks had joined BJP as well as Vidya Niketan (RSS activists educate children on Hindutva) as per our organisation’s policy,” said Gopalankutty Master.
