Within the RSS, there is a growing concern that the influx of defectors from the Opposition into the BJP is eroding the party's core ideology and diminishing its ties with the Sangh.

Amid an alleged rift between the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the party’s ideological mentor, the RSS has voiced criticism over the ruling party’s performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

RSS leader Indresh Kumar attributed the BJP’s lacklustre showing to “arrogance.” Kumar also criticised the opposition INDIA bloc, calling them “anti-Ram.”

The Congress has dismissed the RSS leader’s comments on the INDIA alliance.

“Who takes RSS seriously? PM Modi does not take them seriously, so why should we? If he (Indresh Kumar) had spoken when it was time to speak, everyone would have taken him seriously. At that time, they (RSS) remained silent. They also enjoyed the power,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said at a press conference on Friday.

Speaking at an event in Kanota near Jaipur on Thursday, Kumar remarked, “Those who did bhakti of Lord Ram gradually became arrogant. That party was declared the biggest party but were stopped at 241 by Lord Ram due to arrogance.”

His comment was seemingly directed at the BJP, which won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, marking its worst performance since 2014.  The number is significantly lower than its 2019 count of 303 and the 282 seats it won in 2014.

The Congress, on the other hand, won 99 seats compared to 52 in 2019 and 44 in 2014.

Without explicitly naming the opposition alliance, he went on, “And those who had no faith in Ram, they together were stopped at 234. God’s justice is true and enjoyable.”

The remarks come shortly after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasised humility in public service, stating, “A true sevak maintains dignity. He follows the decorum while working. He does not have the arrogance to say ‘I did this work’. Only that person can be called a true sevak.”

Interestingly, ahead of the election results, BJP president and Union Minister JP Nadda had said that the party has become self-reliant and evolved from the time when it needed the RSS.

“In the beginning, we would have been less capable, smaller and needed the RSS. Today, we have grown and we are capable. The BJP runs itself. That’s the difference,” Nadda said.

Despite securing 240 seats this time, the maximum by any party, the BJP fell short of crossing the majority mark of 272. However, the BJP managed to form the government for the third time with the help of its National Democratic Alliance partners. The coalition holds 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.