Ex-President Pranab Mukherjee Accepts Invite to Attend RSS Event in Nagpur
Pranab Mukherjee acceptance to attend the RSS event is said to be due to his cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat despite the difference in ideology
Mumbai, May 28: The former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, a veteran Congress leader will be addressing an event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on June 7 in Nagpur. According to news reports, EX President Mukherjee will address the Nagpur RSS function which is organised for RSS cadre trainers to become full-time pracharaks (volunteers). The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress has always criticised RSS for spreading saffron terror in the name of Hinduism; Rahul frequently slammed the organisation in recent times. That's why the former president's decision to attend the event is being questioned.
The RSS is the ideological mentor of the ruling party BJP, and several ministers visit its headquarters located in Nagpur. The report has put forth an opinion of an RSS leader who claimed that the former president, a lifelong Congressman, acceptance to the invite is a significant message. RSS Leader Rakesh Sinha was quoted as saying, "Former President Pranab Mukherjee's acceptance to attend the RSS event in Nagpur sends a message to the country that on vital issues there should be dialogue and adversaries are not enemies. His acceptance of the invitation is answering questions raised on RSS-Hindutva."
Sources say around 800 RSS workers below 45-years of age from across the country will attend the annual training camp or Sangh Shiksha Varg, organised in the summer. Along with Mukherjee, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is also expected to address the event.
Mukherjee, one of the top brass leader of the Congress party, became President in 2012. It noteworthy that he was a minister in almost every Congress government since Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1969. He was widely expected to be the Congress choice for Prime Minister after Sonia Gandhi refused to become PM in 2004. But later Sonia Gandhi picked Manmohan Singh instead of Pranab. However, his decision to attend the RSS event is raising the eyebrows and creating a stir especially among the leader of secular parties in the political sphere.
His cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, despite ideological difference, is thought to be the reason why he has accepted the invitation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2018 06:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).