Narendra Modi's message to be broadcasted after Mohan Bhagwat’s speech on Dusshera

NEW DELHI: For over 80 years, Vijay Dashami has been the day swayamsewaks listen to the RSS chief on the broad contours of the Sangh’s programme. However, this year, Mohan Bhagwat’s speech will be followed by a radio address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who would, in the manner of former US president Franklin D Roosevelt, deliver the first in a series of radio broadcasts to the nation.

Sources in government and BJP did not see a ‘clash’ in the two speeches, as they were a few of hours apart. Also, Bhagwat’s speech between 7.15 am and 7.30 am will be telecast live by Doordarshan, whereas Modi would be on radio.

"This is not about the ownership of an address to the public on Vijay Dashami. The prime minister’s speech will be recorded and broadcast after Sarsanghchalakji’s. It will be reflective of his policy priorities, articulated in a chatty anecdotal manner," said a source.

"Since it is Vijaya Deshami, the prime minister is likely to speak on empowerment of women and other issues already flagged in his Independence Day address," said a top source in government. Bhagwat’s speech from Reshmi Bagh, in Nagpur is likely to be live streamed on the internet too by the RSS’ IT team.

Last year, Bhagwat ad given a strong message on participating in the democratic exercise of elections and had signalled the full weight of the RSS behind the Modi campaign, a cautious approach to China was also highlighted in the speech.

"Please remember that Atalji (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) was a pracharak for a short time before he went into political work in the Jan Sangh, Modiji was a swayamsewak and pracharak for a longer period. His entry into electoral politics much later," said a senior BJP leader.

"Therefore Vijay Dashami is special and that is the only reason for the broadcast," he added. Signs that NDA 2.0 is nothing like its previous avatar are scattered aplenty, the Vijay Dashami address by Modi is just another one of those.