Focused on course correction for the government to get rid of any negative perception, the three-day conclave between the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh witnessed the latter offer suggestions on three issues – economy, education and national security. It was the second which occupied most of this afternoon.
The ruling party’s ideological mentor offered feedback based on reports from its activists on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir — ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terror attacks from across the border — the relations with Bangladesh and the border situation with China.
The meeting had covered areas of economy on Day One of the conclave. A discussion on education took place late on Thursday.
While the home minister Rajnath Singh and defence minister Manohar Parrikar were part on the discussion on internal security issue, human resources development minister Smriti Irani fielded queries and received suggestions on education system.
The RSS has advised the BJP to tackle terror more aggressively in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said. It was also flagged that the perception about the BJP entering a partnership with the People’s Democratic Party, or PDP, was not very positive, sources said.
The two parties – who were ideologically far apart — had cobbled together an alliance earlier this year after last year’s assembly elections failed to give a clear majority to either. The PDP is in the driving seat of the alliance, winning three more seats than the BJP, 28 to BJP’s 25.
The RSS has suggested that the BJP should hold camps along India-Pakistan border to sensitise locals and know their problems. It was suggested that senior party leaders should stay away from these camps so they do not appear as a political enterprise.
The BJP’s ideological mentor has, however, backed the enclave exchange accord with Bangladesh, expressing strong views on illegal immigration from the neighbouring country, sources said.
Regarding the border with China, the RSS has stressed that India should not weaken its stand on the Arunachal border issue. It was suggested that the government should try to get the locals on its side and for this, development in the area was the way ahead.