In the lead-up to the February 5, 2025, Delhi Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), ideological mentor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has intensified its grassroots outreach by organizing approximately 50,000 “drawing room” meetings across the city.
Strategic Deployment Across Delhi
The RSS’s organizational structure in Delhi is divided into eight zones, known as vibhags, encompassing 30 districts and 173 nagars (small city units). Each vibhag was tasked with conducting these intimate gatherings in various settings, including homes, offices, educational institutions, and commercial centers.
Massive Outreach Effort
Collectively, these efforts resulted in nearly 50,000 meetings, engaging over 400,000 residents. During these sessions, RSS volunteers, or swayamsevaks, emphasized the organization’s ‘panch parivartan’ (five changes) initiative and encouraged attendees to support BJP candidates, highlighting national interest considerations.
Key Discussion Themes
The meetings addressed critical issues such as environmental pollution, the importance of family values, combating corruption, promoting social harmony, and advocating for Swadeshi (indigenous) practices. These topics were chosen to resonate with the electorate’s concerns and to align with the BJP’s campaign narratives.
Historical Context and Recent Successes
The RSS has a history of actively supporting the BJP’s electoral ambitions. Notably, in the recent Haryana and Maharashtra elections, the RSS’s grassroots mobilization was credited with significantly bolstering the BJP’s performance. In Haryana, the BJP secured 48 out of 90 seats, while in Maharashtra, the alliance including the BJP achieved a substantial majority.
Campaign Dynamics in Delhi
The 27-day campaign leading up to the Delhi elections witnessed intense competition among major political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP, and Congress. The parties engaged in debates over various issues, ranging from infrastructure projects to environmental concerns, and exchanged personal attacks.
Conclusion
The RSS’s extensive network and its ability to mobilize large segments of the population through localized meetings have once again demonstrated its pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes. As Delhi voters head to the polls, the impact of these grassroots efforts remains a significant factor in the electoral equation.
