India: RSS leader Ram Madhav to join BJP, may be elected party spokesperson

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-rss-leader-ram-madhav-to-join-bjp-may-be-elected-party-spokesperson-2000333


RSS leader Ram Madhav to join BJP, may be elected party spokesperson
Monday, 7 July 2014 - 7:45pm IST Updated: Monday, 7 July 2014 - 7:30pm IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA Webdesk

Vishal Manve

Adding a new twist to the inclusion of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS members inclusion into the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) party fold, news reports suggesting RSS leader Ram Madhav's inclusion into the BJP have surfaced. Not only will he be handling the BJP's affairs, but he is also likely to be the BJP's spokesperson.

The news comes at an opportune time when the whole of the RSS has been debating the BJP's Amit Shah elevation as the party president, which has evoked mixed responses.

Some factions believe that due to Amit Shah's past involvement with various cases, including the snooping scandal, the 2002 Gujarat riots, and the Ishrat Jehan case, he will present the BJP in a rather negative light. However, supporters claim that Shah's ability to turn around the politics of Uttar Pradesh and gain majority for the BJP in the Yadav-Mayawati domain has strengthened his stand in the long run. As they say, "The road to Delhi runs through Uttar Pradesh." Only time will tell if Shah's one achievement could surpass all other cases and help him achieve the coveted post.

Why Ram Madhav's inclusion matters:

Ram Madhav represents the RSS, which is the Sangh Parivar organisation, laying out the framework for a much more nationalist BJP. So, if Madhav represents the BJP, chances are high that the RSS' influence could spread into the BJP's top brass while handling issues as well. Prior to this, Nirmala Sitharaman has held the post rather arguably in a modernistic manner. Now, Sitharaman heads the Commerce ministry and is planning reforms in the sector, toeing the line with Narendra Modi's budget which looks forward to changes in FDI, retail, and transportation among others.

Earlier, Ram Madhav had posted the following in his blog, giving credit to Narendra Modi for a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha elections, "In Modi and the BJP, the people of this country have seen not only an alternative government to the disastrous one headed by the Congress, but an alternative vision, too. It is that vision that sets Modi apart. He has an economic vision that cares for the last man — the proverbial chaiwala. It is this vision that has brought millions of India’s poor to him, deserting their traditional caste-based parties."

Who is Ram Madhav:

* Madhav was born in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on April 22, 1965, and is one of the top intellectuals associated with the RSS today, according to Wikipedia.

* Primarily a student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ram Madhav also has a post-graduate degree in Political Science from the University of Mysore, Karnataka.

* Currently he is the spokesperson of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the largest voluntary organisation of the world.

* He has also served as director in several film censor boards and educational institutes of India. He worked as a journalist for over 20 years with RSS-sponsored publications and authored 10 books, including biographies. He currently lives in Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh.