... There are clearly two views in the BJP on its present and future relationship with the RSS. Some of the old time 'pracharaks' now working full-time with the BJP believe that "the RSS is and will remain relevant to the politics of the BJP," for the relationship between the BJP, the RSS and its organisations is "symbiotic" and "not fully understood by those outside." These leaders reiterate that the BJP has put on the back burner some of its pet issues only because the current political situation is "not ripe" for a majority single-party BJP government. In short, the modification of the agenda is only a temporary affair and does not represent the "real agenda" of the BJP, which is the same as that of the RSS.

These men reject the claim of "friends and allies" of the BJP that they have been instrumental in forcing it to shed its "communal agenda" ...

However, a different view is being expressed by some BJP leaders who are not too sure of the relevance of the RSS in the kind of politics that has unfolded as a result of the BJP having embraced the path of coalition politics.

"The RSS is the mother of the BJP; we do not deny that. But grown up children cannot forever be controlled by their mothers," they reason. And it was emphasised that while the BJP listens to the RSS views with respect, it "cannot be guided by the RSS," that "it will take its decisions independently."

... There is the feeling, but not yet clearly articulated, that the BJP has come of age as a political party, and it is time it sheds the RSS yoke. But, as one 'pracharak' cautioned (they) are making a crucial mistake, and are under- estimating the strong "bond" between the BJP and the RSS. (Source: The Hindu, 24 July, 1999)