The RSS has finally woken up to rein in its lunatic fringe. Is it mere affection for Mumbai migrants or is it real politics? Or the Sangh (including the BJP) has finally decided to chuck the off-target Shiv Sena

Sangh and sensibility

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has finally woken up to rein in its lunatic fringe. Is it mere affection for Mumbai migrants or is it real politics? Or the Sangh (including the BJP) has finally decided to chuck the off-target Shiv Sena. It is no secret now that the roaring Sena lion is finally walking into the sunset and his protege Uddhav has failed to capitalise on the gains made after the Sena came into an electoral alliance with the BJP.

But, even though the saffron party has a Marathi Manoos at the helm, it has pan-India aspirations in huge contrast to Sena's desperate attempt to save the MNS' onslaught on its only ideological as well political agenda.

So, when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asked the Sangh workers in Maharashtra to protect north Indians, was he telling NDA allies that they can still ask for votes from constituencies in Bihar, Assam and north Indian states. Maybe, or maybe not, but it was clear that BJP may not like to saddle on an ailing and losing Sena in Maharashtra.

Also, it helps the party to achieve a closer bond with important allies like Nitish Kumar's JD(U).
It may also be a ploy to save Nitin Gadkari, who has been picked up as a BJP president on Mohan's advice.
It doesn't take a political analyst to understand that Gadkari is in a fix. His stoic silence over the issue can be characterised and understood in the background of his position as the party's pointman for maintaining cordial relations with the Sena in Maharashtra. Now, as the party president, he couldn't have asked for more when his mentor, Bhagwat came out in his support himself.

Assembly elections in Bihar and Assam are due in December this year. Had Gadkari not taken a clear stance on the issue, it would have paid heavily. Successive electoral failures have earned more foes for the BJP than friends, and it would have been extremely foolish to hurt an ally like JD(U) at this point. So, it would not have been very difficult for Bhagwat to make a choice.

In fact, Shiv Sena has become a liability, for the BJP so far has not earned any 'number' in the recently held general elections and state assembly elections. The BJP, which has lost its chance of coming into power in Maharastra, won't afford its loss in Bihar.

The rising popularity of Raj Thackeray and his outburst against North Indians on the same lines can also be a reason.
It also marks an important shift in the rabid Swadeshi flag bearers and anti-Valentine's Day torch bearers. They have now taken a stand, finally, against the moral policing.u00a0

For a seasoned campaigner, Mohan Bhagwat sure has some surviving instinct and the courage to think about long-term benefits rather than petty instant gains. Mr Gadkari should be able to take it forward from here. Hopefully!