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First in Haryana, then in Maharashtra, and now in Delhi, the Sangh’s ability to hold its ideological ground, drive disciplined campaigns, and ensure cadre unity, has made it the ultimate anchor for the BJP and its political-electoral prospect.
With consecutive elections in states around the corner and political flux evident, the RSS has stepped up its role whether through extensive groundwork in Haryana, managing leadership equations in Maharashtra, or tightening its ideological grip in Delhi. (Image: PTI)
After brief ‘coordination issues’ during the General Election last year, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is back to what it does best – ruling the roost. From shaping electoral narratives to maintaining organisational cohesion, the Sangh has once again reinforced its dominance across its organisations and its political front – BJP. First in Haryana, then in Maharashtra, and now in Delhi, the Sangh’s ability to hold its ideological ground, drive disciplined campaigns, and ensure cadre unity, has made it the ultimate anchor for the BJP and its political-electoral prospect.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the organisation’s general secretary Dattatreya Hosebole in the presence of union defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP’s national president JP Nadda at the RSS’s newly opened office in Delhi – Keshav Kunj Path – just before the party’s legislative meeting speaks volumes. The party, later in the evening, announced Rekha Gupta as the Chief Minister designate of Delhi.
Gupta’s strong ties with the RSS, including her entry into politics through ABVP, student wing of the RSS, reflect her ideological alignment and signal the party’s continued commitment to its traditional core.
Even though several senior BJP leaders including the known ‘giant slayers’ were being speculated as the probable chief minister face, the Sangh maintained that it does not want BJP to be seen as a party promoting ‘Vanshvaad’ (dynasty politics). This is when the name of the widely discussed leader was dropped. The RSS also reiterated that it wants a fresh face, preferably ‘Matrushakti’ (the way RSS calls women leaders) who will be able to garner consensus from all corners. The RSS also rooted for Vijender Gupta, who has now been named as the Speaker of Delhi Assembly, as he worked at the ground level for years and kept the organisation ‘united’.
Haryana to Delhi via Maharashtra – How RSS Tightened Its Grip
With consecutive elections in states around the corner and political flux evident, the RSS has stepped up its role whether through extensive groundwork in Haryana, managing leadership equations in Maharashtra, or tightening its ideological grip in Delhi. The resurgence of RSS as the primary guiding force behind the BJP’s campaign machinery and governance strategy is now unmistakable.
Haryana has long been a state where the RSS-BJP network has worked in tandem, especially in mobilising non-Jat votes and consolidating Hindutva sentiment. Even amid alleged internal conflicts within the BJP, RSS played the role of a stabilising force, ensuring that the party stayed committed to its ideological roots.
During the recent elections, RSS-linked organisations and its affiliates were actively involved in micro-management from booth-level coordination to outreach programs reinforcing Hindutva and nationalism.
In Maharashtra, the Sangh’s involvement went beyond cadre mobilisation as it played a pivotal role in shaping alliances and controlling political narratives. Following the Shiv Sena’s split, the RSS ensured the BJP remained at the centre of Maharashtra in the middle of shifting political stands. The Sangh’s influence was evident in how it managed factional battles, ensuring Hindutva remained the core electoral theme going beyond the caste lines.
Delhi has always been a symbolic, strategic battleground and also a bigger challenge for the BJP than it was facing in other states. RSS presence is now more pronounced than ever. Whether through organisational camps, ideological training sessions, or direct involvement in the BJP’s capital strategy, RSS is making sure its fronts and its cadres do not deviate from its core ideology.
The revamp of Keshav Kunj Path at Jhandewalan, as the RSS Delhi headquarters, is also being seen as a signal of its growing control over the capital, the political and ideological landscape. Additionally, key BJP leaders are seen to be re-establishing their direct links with the Sangh, ensuring the party’s alignment with RSS long-term vision.
