Amid rumours of an RSS-BJP rift after an electoral reverse by the saffron party in the recently concluded elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held two closed-door meetings with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in Gorakhpur.
Yogi Adityanath, who arrived on Saturday in Gorakhpur where Bhagwat is taking part in a camp for RSS volunteers, met the latter twice on Saturday, in the afternoon and evening. Both meetings lasted nearly 30 minutes, said The Indian Express.
Though RSS sources had refused to confirm the meetings, stating there was no "announcement of any scheduled meeting", speculations are rife that Bhagwat's Gorakhpur visit itself was aimed at analysing the poll results in Gorakhpur. He wanted to meet Yogi to discuss the reasons for the party's electoral reversal in UP, a saffron stronghold.
Bhagwat had reacted to the party's poll performance in UP by schooling BJP leaders. "A true sevak maintains dignity. He follows the decorum while working. He does not have the arrogance to say 'I did this work'. Only that person can be called a true sevak," he said. He also stressed the need for modesty and goodwill towards everyone, citing the principles of non-violence and truth.
RSS leader Indresh Kumar too hit out at the BJP, taking a jab at the party's 240 Lok Sabha seats. "Those who worshipped Lord Ram but became arrogant were stopped at 241." However, the RSS later clarified that it was not the organisation's official stance. Many think such public outburst is uncharacteristic of Bhagwat and things are sour between the BJP and RSS.
However, the RSS had on Friday sought to quell suggestions of a rift with the BJP and that Mohan Bhagwat's recent critical references related to the Lok Sabha polls were aimed at the BJP. "There is no rift between the RSS and the BJP," a source told PTI.
"There was not much difference in his (Bhagwat) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to make a reference to an event as important as national elections. But, it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His 'arrogance' remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader," the RSS source added.