File Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The performance of the 15-month-old Narendra Modi government is to come up for review before the ruling BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, over the next three days. While the RSS said such reviews were routine, sources said Sangh affiliates have been concerned about a host of issues, including the party-government disconnect.
Sources said the RSS has a dossier ready -- which indicates a push for course correction ahead of the coming elections in Bihar.
"The RSS doesn't want Bihar to be Delhi and 2019 not to be 2004, when India was shining, but an election was lost," said a senior BJP leader.
PM Modi, his 12 ministers and BJP chief Amit Shah are expected to attend the Samanvaya or coordination meet, which will be presided over by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The RSS has said the meet is meant to evaluate and recalibrate the government's projects as per feedback from its affiliates - 15 of which are expected to participate in the meet.
The various organs of the Sangh, sources said, have been flagging the rising disconnect between the government and cadres when it comes to policy making. There were ideological differences over policies as well -- the reformist versus the nationalist approach.
The Sangh, sources said, wants the government to pursue policies like the Jan Dhan, insurance and housing for all, as they reflect its Antyodaya (upliftment of the poor) mantra.
Sangh affiliates like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch are against genetically modified crops, FDI, strategic sales of government assets to raise money and opening Indian banks to foreign banks - many of which are expected to be among the government's long-term goals.
The Manch had protested against the NDA's land bill amendments. Sources said the Sangh feels the government has earned an anti-farmer tag due to the bill and should avoid such steps in future.
Others Sangh affiliates like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad are pushing for nationalist concerns and want a greater say in education and syllabus, sources said.
The latest religious census, which indicated a decline in the Hindu population below the 80 crore mark and a marginal increase in Muslim population is also expected to figure in the meet.