Many departures in key RSS meeting

A crucial three-day meet of the RSS called Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) got underway in Bhopal on Thursday. The mandate of the ABKM meet is to review the achievements and activities of the Sangh and look into ways of expanding its footprint. But the ABKM would also be discussing the broad contours of its policy for the next three years.

Senior RSS Dattatreya Hosabale downplayed a question on whether veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi complained about the government to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "He might have come here for some other reason," Hosabale told reporters.

"ABKM will also be brainstorming on various activities of the Sangh," RSS publicity head Manmohan Vaidya said.

The meeting this time has been truncated in terms of the participation of several sister organisations. Only those with mass support have been included.

In yet another departure from the past, the ABKM would not be passing any resolutions, which was the practice earlier. Now, resolutions, which used to make national headlines, would be passed only in the Akhil Bharatiya Prtinidhi Sabha (ABPS) which meets every year in March.

Another significant discussion that it likely to take place at the meeting is over the fact that RSS' second in command or 'sarkaryavah' Bhaiyyaji Joshi's tenure is coming to an end in March 2018. He is serving his third term as the general secretary.