OROP ‘figures’ in BJP-RSS meet

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

The BJP has rejected reports that “one-rank-one-pension” (OROP) scheme was among the issues discussed at the much-watched-out samanvay (coordination) meeting between senior RSS and BJP functionaries that began today.

However, sources say concerns were raised by senior sangh leaders on the issue and its effect on the party’s image, even if on the sidelines of the main event. After listening to the government's side, they also advised a quick resolution to the impasse to avoid damage to the party’s image.

Refuting speculations, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav called as “baseless and false” the reports of OROP and Ram Mandir being on the agenda for the meeting.

“Ram Mandir and OROP was not a matter of discussion today, and any report saying that it happened is absolutely false. OROP is a government policy and its implementation is a government matter,” Madhav said on the first day of the meeting that was watched keenly by Opposition parties.

The three-day coordination meeting called by BJP’s ideological fountainhead RSS is to "exchange notes" among sangh affiliates on relevant social and economic issues. While both BJP and RSS deny it, the meeting is also being seen as a “review” of the Narendra Modi government’s 15 months in power.

This, even as Madhav today, and before him RSS chief spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya, maintained that the meeting was not designed to discuss government’s performance, but discuss matters such as national security, agricultural growth and social issues.

Opposition parties such as AAP have called the meeting between top BJP ministers and the RSS and its 15 affiliates a “mockery of Constitution”, an “interference” in political process and indication of sangh’s growing interest and involvement in governance.

Taking a dig at the RSS, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned how it could be called a social organisation. “So, the RSS is doing a three-day performance appraisal of the Modi government. Anyone else wants to tell me that they are a social organisation?” Omar tweeted.

According to a BJP leader, while OROP could be discussed in the meeting in the coming two days, it was not a part of the agenda for the day.

On the sidelines though, senior RSS leaders like Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi and Dattatrey Hosabale expressed apprehensions about the issue with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. RSS chief Mohan Bahgwat also talked to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parrikar separately on the issue and sought to know the problems the government was facing in its implementation.

Sources said all organisations affiliated to the RSS today gave their feedback on major initiatives of different ministries. The event was inaugurated by Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who highlighted the relevance of the word “samanyay”, saying “taal mel” (coordination) was required among different affiliates of the sangh parivaar. “He said a difference of opinion can result in ‘katuta’ (unpleasantness) and the aim of the meeting was to remove any difference of opinion, any communication gap, on various issues," sources said.

Apart from Rajnath Singh, Jaitley and Parrikar, BJP chief Amit Shah, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Health Minister JP Nadda were present there. PM Narendra Modi is expected to attend the meet on Friday.