BJP faces criticism from opposition over RSS meet

RSS- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh states its ideal as, carrying "the nation to pinnacle of glory" and "ensuring protection of Hindu Dharma".

Organisations which are inspired by the RSS's ideology refer themselves as members of the Sangh Parivar.

RSS has been the ideological mentor of BJP. Many of the BJP's top brass including Narendra Modi and Amit Shah were RSS pracharaks in the past.

Union ministers and BJP leaders were in attendance on the day 1 of the 3-day meeting of RSS and its affiliates.

Presided over by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, it was part of Parivar outfits' bi-annual coordination meetings.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari were among those who attended it besides BJP president Shah.

The coordination meeting planned to deliberate on various national issues ranging from social, economic, cultural and education issues.

Land Bill, Patel reservation agitation in Gujarat, labour reforms and recent census figures are some of them.

The opening day was spent discussing economic issues. RSS expressed concerns that GDP growth had fallen to 7% in the first quarter. It urged the center to address inflation.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, who has been deputed by the RSS to the party said, "The meeting is about how we should move ahead into the future. It's not about any review of the government or any policy and programmes."

He also said that there was no discussion on the OROP issue adding that its implementation was a government matter.

The BJP- RSS meet faced criticism from various opposition parties.

AAP questioned the meet and called it a 'mockery' of the constitution. AAP leader Ashutosh said that it was indicative of RSS "interference" in the political process.

Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah tweeted asking how could RSS be called a 'social organization', while it does a 3-day performance appraisal of Modi government.