Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 12: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which had stayed aloof from direct action and restricted itself to only providing guidance, appears to have directly delved into electoral politics this time in favour of BJP. The organization, which repeatedly had said in the past that it would not be directly involved with politics, seems to have compromised on this stand during this year's elections.

In the past, RSS followed the practice of discharging people interested to fight elections from their responsibilities towards the organization to enable them to work for BJP. RSS workers did not indulge in campaigning directly. However, since the last six months, RSS has been involved with making preparations to face the election by way of designating this work to its representatives in each of the assembly constituencies. This strategy had helped RSS to unseat the Manik Shah government in Tripura.

Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat 

For every constituency, a three-member team comprising the Vistarak, who representing RSS, an in-charge from one of the Hindu organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Bharathiya Mazdoor Sangh etc, and one from BJP have been formed. Assembly constituencies have been christened as Mahashakti Kendra, while each of the zilla panchayat constituencies and three to four polling booths are grouped as Shakthi Kendras.

Every polling booth is supported by the groups formed on the above lines. Every assembly constituency has seven to eight Maha Shakthi Kendra, and 50 to 70 Shakthi Kendras. The main task of these groups is to coordinate the party and Hindu organizations, ensuring that they work together, addressing internal differences, and ensuring that the workers reach every voter.

Page Pramukhs

Page Pramukhs are deployed for each page of the voters list. These Page Pramukhs have the responsibility of visiting all the houses in the page allotted to them, and try to convince the voters to support BJP. Election campaigns are also undertaken through WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages.

These groups have been active in certain pockets where BJP and RSS have strong base in the state since the last three months, and in other places, since six months. RSS leader, Na Seetharam, heads the unit formed out of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts. The Vistaraks have been deployed out of their home grounds. The motor bikes used for Uttar Pradesh election had been brought into the state for being put to use wherever necessary, but they have not been used in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
Those deputed by RSS cannot seek money from the party or take part in the party's programmes and conventions. They also cannot use flag and symbols of the party. They can take part in programmes involving BJP activists or other outfits to request for voting for BJP, patriotism etc. In the past, there have been instances of RSS activists voluntarily taking up work of seeking votes for particular candidates. However, for the first time, RSS is involving itself with state elections, an RSS leader confessed.

Commenting on this aspect, RSS leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat said that Vistaraks are not appointed by RSS. He said that this is an arrangement made by interested RSS volunteers on their own in response to request received from the party for guidance and cooperation.