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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

Bhagwat to outline roadmap for next century

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address thousands of volunteers and key political observers at Reshimbagh grounds in Nagpur tomorrow at 7.40 am on the occasion of Vijayadashami, formally concluding the organisation’s centenary-year celebrations. He is expected to deliver an ideological and operational blueprint intended to recalibrate Hindu society, counter ongoing opposition mobilisation across India, and outline internal organisational changes...

Bhagwat to outline roadmap for next century

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address thousands of volunteers and key political observers at Reshimbagh grounds in Nagpur tomorrow at 7.40 am on the occasion of Vijayadashami, formally concluding the organisation’s centenary-year celebrations. He is expected to deliver an ideological and operational blueprint intended to recalibrate Hindu society, counter ongoing opposition mobilisation across India, and outline internal organisational changes through a wide-ranging policy address. The annual Vijayadashami address, historically the most definitive forum for the RSS chief to articulate the organisation’s stance on domestic policy, cultural objectives and global affairs, carries heightened significance this year. Marking the completion of 100 years since Dr K.B. Hedgewar founded the organisation on Vijayadashami in 1925, Bhagwat’s address is designed to chart the strategic framework for the RSS as it enters its second century. Over the past 12 months, Bhagwat has personally anchored a series of outreach programmes across four Indian metropolitan hubs and two global nerve centres in the United States and Europe, signalling an appetite to project ideological clarity and broaden the organisation’s institutional footprint beyond traditional shakhas. The address comes against the backdrop of sustained street agitations orchestrated by the Congress party and newly formed groups such as the CJP in the national capital and several states. These demonstrations, centred on unemployment, social justice rhetoric and institutional accountability, have explicitly targeted India’s youth demographic — a constituency that has historically formed the primary recruitment pipeline and ideological backbone of the Sangh. Political observers believe Bhagwat will offer an unyielding response to these attempts to disrupt governance and erode the social coalition, reflecting an unmistakable determination within the Sangh Parivar leadership to resist political attrition and mount an active counter-narrative. The diplomatic and constitutional significance of the event is underscored by the deliberate selection of guests. Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, are attending as special invitees. Revach’s presence hints at possible remarks addressing global geopolitical realignment, the rise of civilisational conflicts, cross-border terrorism and national security challenges. Dhankhar’s attendance provides a platform to reaffirm constitutional patriotism and legislative stability at a juncture marked by sharp parliamentary confrontation. Equally consequential is the invitation extended to Sanjay Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of Dainik Jagran. For an organisation that has historically maintained a measured distance from mainstream media machinery, engaging with the leadership of India’s largest Hindi daily indicates an institutional shift towards proactive public communication. The gesture suggests that the Sangh recognises that narrative warfare in its next century requires strategic engagement with popular media platforms rather than a traditional reliance on insular organisational word of mouth. Beyond external ideological positions, the Nagpur gathering is expected to provide indicators of the structural transitions under way within the RSS. The organisation has been quietly restructuring its administrative echelons, revamping functional wings and adjusting internal deployment models in recent months. With additional leadership realignments slated across key tiers in the near future, Bhagwat’s speech is expected to define the organisational ethos for these generational handovers, emphasising flexibility in outreach while preserving core organisational discipline. As dawn breaks over Reshimbagh, the address will serve both as a balance sheet of a century-old journey and as a declaration of intent for an increasingly combative political era.

Devendra Fadnavis emerges as the strategic game-changer

Writer: Anoop Raghav
Anoop Raghav
Aug 27, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis emerges as the strategic game-changer

In the election season all eyes are turning towards Maharashtra, where the political landscape is intensifying as the state eagerly awaits its own Assembly election dates. Maharashtra’s elections are expected to be a litmus test for the ruling and opposition alliances, reflecting broader trends that may shape the national political narrative leading up to the general elections. The outcome of these elections is likely to hinge on several factors, with infrastructure and development emerging as critical determinants for the key players.

A central figure in Maharashtra’s infrastructure transformation has been former Chief Minister and current Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. During his first term, Fadnavis faced several challenges as his government encountered criticism on multiple issues, particularly regarding farmer distress, rising unemployment, and insufficient relief efforts during severe droughts. However, despite these hurdles, Fadnavis was instrumental in reshaping the state’s infrastructure landscape. He is credited with not only initiating and advancing major projects like expressways, highways, and metro systems but also with establishing a dedicated office to track and expedite these developments. His office focused on both large-scale projects and urban infrastructure, reflecting his commitment to comprehensive state development.

Under Fadnavis’s leadership, key infrastructure projects such as the coastal road, the trans-harbour link, and the metro network have been fast-tracked. His efforts were pivotal in reviving the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), a project dormant for over five decades, and advancing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, India’s first high-speed rail project. Additionally, he played a crucial role in garnering support for the Versova-Virar Sea Link and overcoming challenges related to the Mumbai Metro Line 3.

“Fadnavis model of governance” turned Maharashtra into an investment hub, attracting both domestic and international business through initiatives like the “Magnetic Maharashtra Summit” and “Make in Maharashtra.” These efforts, combined with youth-centric policies like the “Skill Development Mission” and the “Startup Policy,” boosted economic growth and job creation. Fadnavis’s strategic approach has left a lasting impact, with the current government continuing to follow the blueprint he established. This dedication to advancing infrastructure has been a cornerstone of his leadership and has solidified his position as a towering figure in Maharashtra politics.

Recent attacks from Uddhav Thackeray highlight Fadnavis’s growing influence and the opposition’s recognition of him as a major threat. His growing influence has prompted calculated moves by opponents who fear his popularity and effectiveness as a mass leader. His strategic actions and grassroots mobilisation have been pivotal in shaping the BJP’s success in Maharashtra, especially since 2014 when the party, under his leadership, won 122 seats in the assembly elections.

During Eknath Shinde’s swearing-in as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister in June 2022, Devendra Fadnavis initially stated that he would not be part of the new administration. Nevertheless, following a directive from the central leadership and in the interest of maintaining party unity, Fadnavis agreed to serve as Deputy Chief Minister. His decision to abide by the party’s decision, despite facing personal and political challenges, underscores his deep commitment to the party and its broader goals. Fadnavis’s sense of responsibility and loyalty to the BJP has been evident in his efforts to stabilise the newly formed Mahayuti government and redirect the state’s development agenda, which had stalled during the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi administration.

Both the RSS and the BJP’s central leadership believe that, if the BJP is to win the upcoming assembly election, Fadnavis remains central to the party’s strategy. His leadership, popularity, and organisational skills are seen as crucial assets as the BJP prepares for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Projecting Fadnavis as the face of the party— the “Vikas Purush” is considered essential for navigating the challenges ahead and regaining power in the state.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal)

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