RSS chief says he has issued no 'directive' to Advani to quit

Chennai, Aug 15 (PTI) Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) chief
Mohan Bhagawat Saturday said he had not issued any "directive"
to senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani
during their recent meeting to step down as Leader of
Opposition in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament)

"I met Advaniji recently. We were discussing many things.
But I have not issued any directive on that day," Bhagawat
told reporters here in his first comments after Advani
dismissed media reports that the RSS chief had asked him to
nominate his successor in their one-to-one meeting.

Maintaining that RSS had "nothing to do" with BJP, the
RSS chief said, "BJP is a separate organisation and we don't
direct or operate them at any level. It is a political party
and it is also capable of taking its own decision."

Advani had a luncheon meeting with Bhagawat recently,
following which reports said the RSS chief had suggested to
him to nominate his successor in the near future.

The BJP veteran had said discussion with Bhagwat centred
around BJP's performance in the just-concluded budget session
of Parliament and the current political situation. The party's
Shimla brainstorming session did not figure in it.

"On many issues they have identical views like us. But it
does not mean that we have hands on them," Bhagawat said and
declined to comment on queries on the goings-on in BJP.

On BJP's poor showing in Lok Sabha polls, he said RSS
need not necessarily assess BJP's performance as "it will make
its own assessement. A jolt has temporarily destablised them.
Slowly they are regaining their balance. Whatever it is, they
have to take care of themselves."

When asked about infighting in BJP, Bhagawat retorted,
"You have to ask the question to BJP".

In reply to a query, Bhagawat, who is here to attend a
"Grand Reception" being accorded to him by "Citizens of
Chennai" tomorrow, said RSS would help not only BJP "but any
political party that comes and seeks our help. We are always
ready to help them."

On the Ram Temple issue, he said the land had to be
acquired first and the court verdict should also be awaited.
"The concerned leaders of Ram Seva Sangh would decide about
it. Whatever decision they take RSS would support it."

Asked about views expressed in a Chinese website calling
for "balkanisation" of India, Bhagawat said, "We must take
note of this and we should also be very cautious. Our unity is
very strong and no one can break it. If some one attempts to
do so, it would definitely fail."

On UPA's rule, he said "a strong approach" was required
in the area of internal security. "On internal security much
needs to be done. We have to tighten our security, especially
in border areas of Pakistan and China."

He also alleged the UPA government lacked transparency in
many areas, especially on the economic front. "The Centre has
to come forward and be transparent about the economic
situation. They should tell people about country's economic
progress and come out clearly on the unemployment situation."
PTI