Battle for Madhya Pradesh: RSS has the last word in selection

BHOPAL: A senior RSS leader in MP says that RSS decided the BJP candidates in the ongoing assembly elections, after a comprehensive field survey that looked into the winnability and popularity of the candidates.

“The BJP is contesting in all 230 seats. In some 70 to 80 seats we are facing a tough fight. We expect to win 130 to 140 seats,” he told ET, emphasising that a “rigorous seat management” exercise was crucial to curtail anti-incumbency.

Interestingly, the figure he quoted is a tad less than what surveys have said. As late as Wednesday, an opinion poll by ABP News said the BJP will be re-elected a third consecutive time winning 155 seats, 12 more than the 2008 tally. The poll predicted that Congress will win only 65 seats, six less than it won last time.

The RSS writ works much more in this state than anywhere else and, therefore, credit for any poll gain and blame for any setback go to the sangh.

The RSS leader says there are historical reasons for the influence RSS wields over BJP in the state. He didn’t wish to be quoted, saying, “As an RSS person, it is not fair that I appear in the limelight. We offer all the help for the party from behind the scenes.”

This leader, who has worked in several parts of the country, adds it is due to RSS the state unit of BJP remains cohesive despite being in power for the past decade.