RSS Launches Outreach Programme To Replicate BJP's Haryana Success In Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), known to have worked a lot for the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) success in Haryana, is on a similar endeavour in Maharashtra which is set to vote on 20 November.

"The RSS is conducting over 50,000 small meetings and outreach efforts through its volunteers organised into groups, or tolis," a source told The New Indian Express.

The outreach programme aims to shape public opinion in favour of the BJP-led ruling alliance Mahayuti and keep the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) out of power.

RSS already has a strong presence in Maharashtra, given Nagpur is the social organisation's headquarters. The BJP's election machinery has, too, started working, with a focus on weaker areas.

"The BJP doesn’t jump into elections at the eleventh hour. We start our preparations at least two years in advance across states going to the polls," a BJP functionary involved in the Maharashtra campaign said.

"Maharashtra has always played a vital role in shaping Bharat into a ‘Maha-rashtra’ (great nation), and this assembly election will determine the state’s future and step toward making India a Vikshit Bharat," a BJP MP said.

BJP aims to win more than 95 per cent of the assembly seats it will contest and with the seats of its allies, it plans to retain power in the state. The target seems difficult after the setback in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Mahayuti could win only 17 seats, while the MVA outperformed it by winning 31 seats. A lack of enthusiasm among the RSS workers was said to be the reason for the underwhelming performance, which is being corrected now.