In Hry, RSS ‘shakhas’ help BJP beat anti-incumbency

Chandigarh: It is not just the rank and file of the BJP that is sweating it out in Haryana, there is 85,000-strong workforce of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that is quietly, but aggressively campaigning for the party in all 10 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state.RSS volunteers are not only motivating electorate to reach polling booths, but are also trying to neutralise any effect of anti-incumbency due to local issues, by highlighting the concern for country’s integrity, India’s image in the world, and internal and external security. The effort by RSS workers and its affiliates, like Vishva Hindu Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, is helping chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, his predecessor Manohar Lal Khattar and other BJP candidates deal with strong resentment among locals over issues like inflation, unemployment, etc. Besides the internal survey by BJP, a survey by RSS is considered to have formed the basis for a change of guard in Haryana in March. Khattar, who also has his roots in the RSS, maintains that it was he who recommended the change.The RSS workers coming to shakhas every morning plan the day and reach out to voters in rural and urban areas. Lokmat Ka Parishkar (refinement of democracy) is the mission for all these volunteers, who have been on the move since March.As per information, 1,700 shakhas (branches) are active in the state, with each shakha having at least 50 members. This number in 2014 was 1,400 and 25, respectively.The influence of Arya Samaj in Haryana has helped the growth of RSS. “Since Arya Samaj and RSS share a common motive, that is, social reforms, it has helped in the growth of shakhas in the state and members of the Arya Samaj are also active members of the RSS,” said Pratap Singh, Sangh prant karyavah (RSS stage general secretary).There has also been a slight shift in the working style of RSS shakhas with regards to the ongoing elections. While in 2019, the volunteers (including one to three persons from a locality) used to campaign door-to-door, this time, the workers are organising nukkar meetings or drawing-room meetings to address or interact with a group of 15 to 25 persons.“We don’t use any flag or poster or any such material which signifies any party. But we have our own printed material. Volunteers discuss national issues, challenges before the country and importance of Lok Sabha polls. They encourage people to vote. And the only thing which they add in the end is to consider national issues while casting vote,” said another leader of RSS.Maximum volunteers ask the people if they want a Narendra Modi like PM or like Rahul Gandhi, the senior leader added.