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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Congress’ solo path for ‘ideological survival’

Mumbai: The Congress party’s decision to contest the forthcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently is being viewed as an attempt to reclaim its ideological space among the public and restore credibility within its cadre, senior leaders indicated. The announcement - made by AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala alongside state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad - did not trigger a backlash from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi...

Congress’ solo path for ‘ideological survival’

Mumbai: The Congress party’s decision to contest the forthcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently is being viewed as an attempt to reclaim its ideological space among the public and restore credibility within its cadre, senior leaders indicated. The announcement - made by AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala alongside state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad - did not trigger a backlash from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners, the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT). According to Congress insiders, the move is the outcome of more than a year of intense internal consultations following the party’ dismal performance in the 2024 Assembly elections, belying huge expectations. A broad consensus reportedly emerged that the party should chart a “lone-wolf” course to safeguard the core ideals of Congress, turning140-years-old, next month. State and Mumbai-level Congress leaders, speaking off the record, said that although the party gained momentum in the 2019 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it was frequently constrained by alliance compulsions. Several MVA partners, they claimed, remained unyielding on larger ideological and political issues. “The Congress had to compromise repeatedly and soften its position, but endured it as part of ‘alliance dharma’. Others did not reciprocate in the same spirit. They made unilateral announcements and declared candidates or policies without consensus,” a senior state leader remarked. Avoid liabilities He added that some alliance-backed candidates later proved to be liabilities. Many either lost narrowly or, even after winning with the support of Congress workers, defected to Mahayuti constituents - the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, or the Nationalist Congress Party. “More than five dozen such desertions have taken place so far, which is unethical, backstabbing the voters and a waste of all our efforts,” he rued. A Mumbai office-bearer elaborated that in certain constituencies, Congress workers effectively propelled weak allied candidates through the campaign. “Our assessment is that post-split, some partners have alienated their grassroots base, especially in the mofussil regions. They increasingly rely on Congress workers. This is causing disillusionment among our cadre, who see deserving leaders being sidelined and organisational growth stagnating,” he said. Chennithala’s declaration on Saturday was unambiguous: “We will contest all 227 seats independently in the BMC polls. This is the demand of our leaders and workers - to go alone in the civic elections.” Gaikwad added that the Congress is a “cultured and respectable party” that cannot ally with just anyone—a subtle reference to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which had earlier targeted North Indians and other communities and is now bidding for an electoral arrangement with the SS(UBT). Both state and city leaders reiterated that barring the BMC elections - where the Congress will take the ‘ekla chalo’ route - the MVA alliance remains intact. This is despite the sharp criticism recently levelled at the Congress by senior SS(UBT) leader Ambadas Danve following the Bihar results. “We are confident that secular-minded voters will support the Congress' fight against the BJP-RSS in local body elections. We welcome backing from like-minded parties and hope to finalize understandings with some soon,” a state functionary hinted. Meanwhile, Chennithala’s firm stance has triggered speculation in political circles about whether the Congress’ informal ‘black-sheep' policy vis-a-vis certain parties will extend beyond the BMC polls.

A Century of Service and Nation-Building

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As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marks a hundred years since its founding in 1925, it stands as one of the most influential social organizations in modern India. Over the past century, the RSS has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s social fabric, promoting unity, fostering selfless service, and building institutions that continue to impact millions of lives.


Foundational vision

The RSS was founded in Nagpur in 1925 by Dr. Keshav BaliramHedgewar with the aim of revitalizing India’s cultural identity and strengthening society from within. At a time when the nation was struggling under colonial rule, Hedgewar envisioned a disciplined, united, and culturally rooted society that could shoulder the responsibility of nation-building.


The daily shakhas (discipline and training gatherings) became the cornerstone of RSS activity, instilling values of physical fitness, teamwork, character building, and devotion to the nation among ordinary citizens.


Social Service

One of the greatest contributions of the RSS has been its unparalleled commitment to relief and rehabilitation during natural calamities and crises. Be it the Bengal famine of 1943, the 1971 cyclone in Odisha, the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, the 2004 tsunami, or the recent COVID-19 pandemic, RSS swayamsevaks were among the first on the ground, providing food, medical care, rescue operations, and rehabilitation efforts.


The COVID-19 crisis particularly highlighted the Sangh’s organizational discipline. Lakhs of swayamsevaks across India delivered oxygen cylinders, cooked meals, arranged transport for migrants, and set up blood and plasma donation camps, reflecting the Sangh’s ethos of selfless service (seva).


Nation building

RSS has nurtured and inspired a wide ecosystem of social, educational, and service-oriented organizations under its umbrella, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar. Some of its most impactful initiatives include:

  • Vidya Bharati Schools – Among the largest educational networks in India, imparting value-based and affordable education in thousands of schools.

  • Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram – Working for the welfare of tribal communities by promoting education, healthcare, and empowerment.

  • Seva Bharati – Running thousands of service projects including hospitals, orphanages, skill centers, and programs for marginalized communities.

  • Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – One of India’s largest student organizations, shaping young leadership in universities.

  • Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) – A trade union that advocates for workers’ rights while balancing national interest with economic growth.


These organizations demonstrate the RSS philosophy of empowering society not through political power alone, but through grassroots institutions that touch every aspect of life.


Cultural renaissance

The RSS has consistently emphasized India’s civilizational ethos – the philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam (“the world is one family”). Through daily shakhas, cultural programs, and festivals, it has promoted pride in India’s heritage, traditions, and languages.


Importantly, the RSS has sought to unify a diverse and pluralistic India by building a shared cultural consciousness. In regions where caste divisions and social inequalities have historically weakened communities, swayamsevaks have worked to dismantle barriers, promote harmony, and foster collective responsibility.


While the RSS itself is a cultural and social organization, it has inspired many leaders who went on to play key roles in India’s democratic and political landscape. Its ideological commitment to nationalism, integrity, and discipline influenced the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in the 1950s and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which today forms the largest political party in the world.


Many leaders, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have roots in RSS shakhas. The Sangh’s training has equipped countless public figures with organizational skills and a deep sense of commitment to national service.


Global outreach

Over the last century, the RSS has also inspired organizations abroad. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), active in over 40 countries, brings together the Indian diaspora to preserve cultural identity while contributing to their adopted homelands. From community service projects in the US and UK to cultural awareness programs in Africa and Asia, the HSS reflects the Sangh’s global outlook.


The Sangh family also nurtured Rashtra Sevika Samiti (founded in 1936), the largest voluntary women’s organization in the world. It empowers women through leadership training, education, and community service, and has produced several influential leaders in various sectors.


The true strength of the RSS lies not in power or numbers alone, but in its century-old philosophy of disciplined, silent, and sustained service. Today, with millions of active and dedicated swayamsevaks, it represents one of the most organized civil society movements in the world.


As it celebrates its centenary, the RSS continues to stand as a living example of how cultural rootedness, community service, and organizational discipline can transform a nation. Its motto, “Seva hi Param Dharma” (Service is the Highest Duty), remains the guiding principle of its journey from 1925 to 2025 – a hundred years of unbroken commitment to society and the nation.


(The writer is a BJP official based in Thane. Views personal.)

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