As the 2024 general elections approach, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is gearing up to solidify the ground strategy, with a special emphasis on Uttar Pradesh (UP). Bhagwat is scheduled to arrive in Lucknow this Friday for a four-day visit, the details of which reveal a strategy looking to build upon the foundation laid by the Ram Mandir agenda which has historically been a central focus for the RSS and its ally, the BJP.
During his stay, which comes ahead of the temple’s Prana Pratishtha scheduled in January, Bhagwat is expected to emphasise the important role that UP, holding 80 Lok Sabha seats, will play in the upcoming elections. The RSS chief aims to strengthen connections with every village and Dalit communities, enhancing the party’s reach through a series of programs planned at Nyaya Panchayat and Dalit basti levels.
In the wake of the Goshi election defeat, the RSS is shifting its focus towards building stronger relations with Dalit and backward communities. The organisation is ramping up its grassroots efforts, expanding branches to reach Dalit and tribal areas, with the objective of disseminating its ideology to every Nyaya Panchayat and Dalit settlement. Recently, 250 centenary extensionists were commissioned to initiate programs in all justice panchayats and Dalit areas, aiming to further increase the existing 2667 branches to cover 1819 justice panchayats.
The RSS is also introducing bi-weekly meetups and weekly tollies, separate from the main branch, aiming to engage those unable to attend regular RSS shakhas. These groups will focus on various social activities including environmental awareness, anti-drug campaigns, health, and religious awareness in Dalit and tribal areas.
Moreover, the RSS is planning a deliberation on the contentious issues of ‘Love Jihad’ and infiltration in border areas, raised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagran Manch during a meeting on September 19. The organisations are gearing up to spread awareness about ‘Love Jihad’ through seminars and debates in schools and colleges.
Adding to this, a valour expedition from September 30 to October 10 is being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to create a conducive atmosphere for the Prana Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir at the village level.
During his stay in Lucknow until the 25th, Bhagwat is likely to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers to discuss strategies and potential collaborations ahead of the grand event in January and the impending elections in 2024. The RSS Chief’s visit signals a critical time of strategizing, ensuring a firm ground for the 2024 elections leveraging the Ram Mandir’s core agenda and fresh outreach programs targeting a broader section of the society.