Sanjay Raut claims deep RSS-BJP rift, says Sangh also wants regime change

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut has made a major claim about the relationship between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to Raut, differences between the two have grown quite deep, and the Sangh Parivar also wants "regime change", that is, a change of government. The statement has set off fresh speculation in political circles.

Raut made the remarks in an article in his party's mouthpiece. In it, he raised the RSS Vijayadashami event held in Nagpur, to which former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had been invited as chief guest. Raut has viewed the entire episode in the context of the relationship between the Union government and the Sangh.

Raut described the choice of Dhankhar as chief guest as politically significant. He claimed that the Union government had ignored Dhankhar, and that his being given a prominent place on the Sangh's platform could therefore be a message.

Raut also targeted the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that the government had neglected former Vice President Dhankhar. According to Raut, after leaving office Dhankhar did not receive facilities such as accommodation, office support and a pension, and has had to live at a friend's farm house.

Dhankhar had resigned as Vice President before completing his term. Citing this, Raut asked whether making such a person chief guest at the RSS Vijayadashami event was not a political signal.

In his article, Raut sharply criticised the Union government. He alleged that a government without values and a corrupt one was in power in the country. He claimed that the public wants to remove this government and that, behind the scenes, the RSS wants the same. According to Raut, the Sangh's alleged regime change agenda is being advanced through Jagdeep Dhankhar.

This is Raut's own political assessment. There is no information that the Sangh has declared any intention of a change of government behind inviting Dhankhar. There has also been no official confirmation from the parties concerned of any differences between the RSS and the BJP, or of any plan to change the government.