In a dramatic turn of events, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has sparked both praise and controversy after appearing to commend the organizational strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The comments, initially interpreted as a significant shift in stance, were quickly followed by a firm reiteration of his opposition to the RSS ideology.
The episode began when Singh shared an old photograph on social media platform X, showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor alongside veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani. Singh lauded the ability of grassroots workers within the RSS-BJP structure to rise through the ranks, eventually attaining positions such as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. "This is the power of the organisation," he wrote, concluding with "Jai Siya Ram".
The post immediately ignited a firestorm of reactions. The BJP seized upon Singh's remarks, using them to attack the Congress leadership and question the party's internal democratic processes. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan suggested that Singh's tweet was a "truth bomb" exposing the alleged autocratic functioning of the Congress.
Within the Congress, Singh's comments appeared to cause considerable discomfort. Some leaders distanced themselves from his praise of the RSS, with one Congress leader, Pawar Khare, questioning what an organization linked to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, could possibly teach the party. MP Manickam Tagore alluded to the controversy as a "self-goal".
Faced with the backlash, Singh swiftly clarified his position. He asserted that he remains a staunch opponent of the RSS ideology, emphasizing that his appreciation was solely directed towards their organizational capabilities. Singh stated that he has always opposed the RSS and its policies, further clarifying that his remarks had been misunderstood. "I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS. They neither respect the Constitution nor the country's laws, and it's an unregistered organisation," Singh stated. However, he also noted that he admired their ability to build a strong structure. He also said that the Congress could learn from the RSS' organizational capabilities.
Singh's initial post came shortly after he publicly called for internal reforms within the Congress party. In a message to Rahul Gandhi, Singh advocated for more pragmatic and decentralized functioning within the party. This context led some observers to interpret his praise of the BJP-RSS as a subtle critique of the Congress's organizational shortcomings.
The controversy erupted just ahead of a crucial Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, where discussions centered on strategies to counter the BJP. According to sources, Singh raised the issue of strengthening the Congress's grassroots organization during the meeting, but was reportedly stopped from elaborating on matters unrelated to the meeting's agenda.
Political analysts suggest that the timing of the controversy is also noteworthy, as Singh's term in the Rajya Sabha is set to end early next year, fueling speculation about potential contenders for his seat. The incident underscores the complex dynamics within the Congress party and the ongoing debate over its strategic direction in the face of a dominant BJP.
