Rise in ‘shakhas’ not Narendra Modi effect: RSS

NAGPUR: Reports from across the country speak of a phenomenal growth this year in the number of ‘shakhas’ (the basic unit through which networking happens), but top leaders of the RSS refuse to acknowledge it as a Narendra Modi effect. Reacting to reports of an increase of 2,000 ‘shakhas’ , mainly in UP, some senior RSS functionaries said it could be exaggerated and attributed it to political opportunism.

“Otherwise, we see this as an organic growth as a result of sustained efforts put in by the Sangh in the last three years. In last two years the increase in shakhas is by a similar volume. So it is wrong to link this with elections or the charisma of Modi who is tipped to lead the BJP to a splendid win in Lok Sabha elections,” said RSS spokesman Manmohan Vaidya.

Contrary to reports about lakhs of Sangh activists being drafted in poll campaign this time, a senior RSS activist denied there was any compulsion or even instruction to work for BJP.