At the upcoming RSS-BJP leadership meeting in Palakkad, Kerala, which starts Saturday, the Sangh Parivar is expected to emphasize its campaign for “samajik samrasta” (social harmony) and improve coordination between the RSS and the BJP. This annual Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak will bring together top leaders from both organizations, along with representatives from affiliated groups.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, and other senior RSS officials will attend, while the BJP delegation will include party chief J.P. Nadda, General Secretary B.L. Santhosh, and Joint General Secretary Shiv Prakash, among others.

Initially, there was speculation that the BJP might appoint a caretaker president for the meeting. However, Nadda, who is serving an extended term as BJP president, is now expected to present a report on the party’s activities over the past year and outline plans for the upcoming year.

With the BJP’s membership drive set to begin on September 2, a new full-time president is likely to be elected after elections in at least half the states are completed. Nadda will continue in office until then.

The BJP’s agenda for the near future includes tackling significant elections in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and possibly Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.

The Sangh’s “samajik samrasta” campaign, aimed at bridging the caste divide and promoting Hindu unity, has been ongoing for years. The campaign has gained renewed urgency following the recent Lok Sabha elections, where a shift in Dalit support away from the BJP contributed to its reduced seat count.

Typically, the campaign involves RSS workers facilitating access to temples and wells for Dalits and organizing community lunches where RSS members share meals with Dalits.

A Sangh functionary highlighted the need to counter the Congress’s narrative on caste, which has gained some traction. The RSS aims to strengthen grassroots efforts to counter these claims and address concerns about potential constitutional changes affecting reservations.

Coordination between the BJP and RSS has been a focal point since the elections, especially after comments by BJP chief Nadda suggesting the party’s growing self-sufficiency. The meeting will address these coordination issues and discuss strategies for future elections.

Other topics on the agenda include the situation in Bangladesh, where concerns about minority safety and national security are prominent, as well as issues like the Uniform Civil Code, caste census, and sub-categorization of SCs/STs.

Sangh publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar stated that the meeting will focus on sharing information, discussing national issues, and enhancing cooperation among Sangh-inspired organizations.

The BJP’s recent achievements, such as the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya and Assembly election victories, will be contrasted with setbacks, including the drop in the BJP’s Lok Sabha tally and losses in key states.