RSS Leader Indresh Kumar Takes U-Turn On 'BJP Stopped At 240' Remark, Issues Clarification Amid Row

RSS leader Indresh Kumar's recent remarks about BJP not getting majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections had put the saffron party in an uncomfortable position. However, Kumar has now backtracked from his statement and issued a clarification.

His original statement criticised the BJP for 'arrogance'. He blamed their performance of securing 240 seats to this. This sparked controversy as it was interpreted by some as a critique of the party's leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reported NDTV.

Photo Credit: PTI

Kumar had said, "The party which did bhakti of Lord Ram and became arrogant was stopped at 240; however, it became the biggest party."

"And those who had no faith in Ram were stopped at 234," he said, referring to the INDIA bloc."

"See the 'vidhan' of Ram Rajya in democracy; those who did 'Bhakti' of Ram, but gradually turned arrogant, emerged as the biggest party; however, the vote and the power that they should have been given was stopped by god due to arrogance."

In an effort to mitigate the backlash, Kumar clarified that the election results demonstrate that those who opposed Lord Ram were defeated, while those who aimed to honor Lord Ram's legacy are now in power. He emphasised that BJP, despite falling short of a majority, remains the largest party and credited this to divine intervention curbing their arrogance.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also recently said that a true' sevak' should never be arrogant and serve people with dignity. Bhagwat's comments on the importance of humility in service and the issues in Manipur were interpreted by some as veiled criticism of BJP. However, RSS has firmly denied any rift with BJP, insisting that Bhagwat's comments were misinterpreted and not directed at Modi or any specific BJP leader.

"There was not much difference in his (Mr Bhagwat's) 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 sources said.

This situation underscores the complex dynamics within the RSS-BJP relationship and highlights how internal critiques can be leveraged by opposition parties for political gains. The RSS's clarification aims to dispel any notions of discord and reaffirm their support for the BJP leadership, emphasising unity and continuity in their shared ideological journey.