RSS warning on economic front adds to BJP worries

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 15

Amid reports of in-house “warnings” about the prevailing negative perception over the Modi government’s economic moves, BJP’s national executive on September 24-25 is expected to see the party adopt an economic resolution on issues proving to be headache ahead of key elections.

The meeting comes ahead of the polls in politically crucial Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and reports of none other than the RSS raising red herring over unrest on issues like “economic slowdown, jobless growth, failure of demonetisation, health and farmer distress”.

In its January national executive, the BJP had passed an economic resolution describing PM Modi’s demonetisation decision as “historic” and a fatal blow to black money and funding of terrorism. Though BJP spokespersons continue to stick to the line, the party’s ideological fountainhead is said to be having a different opinion.

After a meeting with its frontal organisations recently, it is said to have cautioned the BJP leadership about people’s raising tough questions on moves such as demonetisation. Adding to the warning that Modi’s popularity can no longer guarantee the BJP its next win, it seems the party is also losing grip on the social media which engineered its rise

While the PM’s individual popularity remains at an optimum level, it seems the BJP’s pro-active cyber brigade is losing space to rivals. Therefore, it was not without a reason that BJP chief Amit Shah, while speaking in Gujarat recently, warned the youth against “propaganda” in the social media against development claims of the party-led state government.

CPI drive to seek BJP CMs’ ouster

New Delhi: The CPI on Friday demanded resignations of four BJP Chief Ministers, including ML Khattar of Haryana, for their alleged failure to control cow vigilantism and with regard allegations of corruption against them. The party will press for action against them during its month-long campaign, which started on Friday. Party chief Sudharshan Reddy said it was to highlight three year of "misrule" of the Narendra Modi government. TNS

Cong to protest fuel price hike

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday said it would hit the streets against soaring prices of petrol and diesel and would collect one lakh signatures to demand the rollback of excise duty and VAT on these products. The party plans to launch a three-day signature campaign on petrol pumps starting Sunday and would on September 20 also hold protests at Jantar Mantar against the high prices of petrol and diesel. TNS