Is Manohar Khattar's elevation from behind the scene man to CM, a result of his RSS background?

Haryana, Oct 21: After BJP created history by winning assembly elections in Haryana, the biggest question was who will be the Chief Minister of the state.

Finally, Manohar Lal Khattar, a low profile RSS leader who is known for his quiet work on the field was chosen for the post.

After the announcement came about him being appointed as CM of Haryana, all the good and bad reactions started coming. And the most prominent discussion about him was that he has been elevated to this post because of the RSS factor.

Khattar worked for almost 40 years as an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak. Impressed by the RSS, he got associated with it in 1977. And in 1980, he joined the RSS full-time as a 'Pracharak'.

The tough task master, Khattar, was shifted from the RSS to the BJP fold in 1994. He held important organisational positions and remained the party's strategist and planner. He is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he has worked in the past.

Khattar - a first time MLA

Though Khattar a first-time MLA, but he is known for his political acumen as he played the role of a master strategist and successfully led many electoral campaigns for BJP. He was also a part of 2014 Parliamentary elections in Haryana as Chairman of Election Campaign Committee.

It was in 1996, that Manohar Lal started working with Modi, who was then in charge of Haryana. In 2002, Manohar Lal was given the charge of Jammu and Kashmir as the State's Election in-charge.

'Behind-the-scenes' organisational man of the RSS and BJP has been given the lead role in Haryana, after he recorded an emphatic win in his constituency Karnal.

Though Khattar is said to be a clean man, but still opposition will always be looking for an opportunity to criticise him.

After Khattar's appointment as CM , BJP will also be criticised by raking up the comment which brought criticism to Khattar when he had commented about girls and said, "If a girl is dressed decently, a boy will not look at her in the wrong way."

"If you want freedom, why don't they just roam around naked? Freedom has to be limited. These short clothes are western influences. Our country's tradition asks girls to dress decently," he had further said.

Such controversies can tarnish the image of not only the person who makes them but also has an impact on the goodwill of the people and party associated with him.

The BJP has reposed faith for the top job in a man who is taking his first big step in the realm of full-time politics. Thus, it will be a tough task for him, but what is to be seen is whether he will be able to live up to the expectations of everyone and set an example or he will prove to be a wrong choice for this post.

(With inputs from agencies)