Because of Modi’s growing unpopularity, the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) is alarmed that the BJP may not be able to win the 2019 general election with enough majority. The question arises as to what should be the strategy if the BJP emerges as the single largest party. In such a situation, the RSS wants to promote Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as the prime ministerial candidate so as to win the necessary support from friendly parties.

It is well known the Modi-Shah duo are fast losing support from the NDA allies one by one. Most of the opposition parties are vocally against their leadership. Modi is becoming more unpopular because of demonetisation and the perceived highhandedness of his governance. These are some of the reasons why the Shiv Sena, the TDP and other smaller allies have slowly distanced themselves from the BJP-led NDA.

The RSS leaders firmly believe other probable allies of the NDA will not extend support to the BJP to form an alliance government if Modi is to be the prime minister. So, it is now agreed that Modi may continue to be PM candidate for 2019 poll but after the poll, if the BJP emerges only as single largest majority, it will have Gadkari as an alternative to Modi as PM candidate. Because of this strategy alone, RSS has forced Gadkari to issue statements recently asking Modi-Shah to take responsibility for BJP defeat in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

G.Ravikiran