New Delhi, March 5: Scenting power at the Centre, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has quietly endorsed the BJP's efforts to go all out and win the numbers game. The top priority of the Sangh now is that the BJP form the next government and so it has indicated to the party that it will not oppose ``any compromises'' which may be needed to form the government.The first draft of the ``national agenda,'' a euphemism for the party's Common Minimum Programmewhich the BJP will discuss with its allies on March 7was approved by K C Sudershan, senior RSS leader, who held meetings with BJP leaders Murali Manohar Joshi and K Govindacharya today. Sudershan, incidentally, was the one who had strongly criticized the BJP's efforts to downplay Hindutva in its pre-election rhetoric. Now, however, the RSS has turned around and approved the party's move to drop the Ram temple, Article 370 and a ban on cow slaughter from the ``national agenda''.And when the BJP approached former Union Minister Sukh Ram in HimachalPradesh for his support in forming the state government, the RSS preferred to remain silent. Ironically, according to a pamphlet, Scams and Scandals During The Congress Rule, prepared by an RSS member and being currently sold at the BJP office, Sukh Ram figures in the list of ``scam-tainted politicians'' in the country today.On the subject of economic reforms, too, the RSS preferred to take the soft line at today's meeting. Its stand: the BJP should formulate its economic agenda in consultation with its present and potential allies and it need not fear any overt opposition from the Sangh.This has worked to the BJP's advantage, at least, for now. Especially after Samata Party leader George Fernandes's statement against multinationals yesterday. For, Fernandes's stand matches that of the Swadeshi Vichar Manch (SVM), a hardline RSS outfit which stands for regulated entry of MNCs.However, as a sop to Fernandes, at the meeting, which was also attended by S S Gurumurthy of the SVM, it was decided that aBJP-led government would patronise state undertakings. Another scheme that was included in the draft was the creation of ``1 crore jobs each year.''What's worrying the BJP now is whether Fernandes will continue making anti-reform noises given that the party is trying to win over Andhra Chief Minister and Telugu Desam leader Chandrababu Naidu who is committed to reforms.Evidently, the top priority for the RSS - as for the BJP - is to form the next government. But on two issues, the Sangh has stood firm.It has insisted that the ``national agenda'' include the uniform civil code - even in a modified form - and national security with ``inflitration of Muslims'' a key component.The BJP's allies, who are watching this exercise with great interest, are happy with the way things have gone so far. But there are apprehensions. According to a former senior Congress leader who joined the BJP before the elections, the RSS is expected to begin turning on the heat once the BJP forms the government,especially when the Cabinet composition is decided.Officially, though, the party still claims that the RSS isn't a factor. Said senior BJP leader Kushabhau Thakre today: ``The RSS does not decide the strategy for the BJP. Given the present situation, we are busy finalising the national agenda to run a good government. That is what the Sangh expects of us,'' he said.
