Cabinet rejig casts shadow on RSS meet

RAJNATH SINGH WAS EXPECTED TO STAY AT THE CONVENTION FOR TWO DAYS BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT

Reflecting the impact of the union cabinet reshuffle on the three-day RSS coordination meet in Vrindavan, the visit of union home minister Rajnath Singh and union defence and finance minister Arun Jaitley was cancelled on Saturday. The early return of BJP president Amit Shah was also attributed to this reason.

Rajnath Singh was expected to stay at the convention for two days but could not make it.

Union finance and defence minister Arun Jaitley, another big face expected at the meet also did not arrive. Jaitley and Rajnath Singh were to be active participants for the sessions on economic policy and internal security.

RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya had informed the media about these two leaders attending the coordination meet but political developments in Delhi seemed to have kept them back.

Earlier, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat had inaugurated the meet on Friday.

BJP national president Amit Shah had attended the inaugu- ral meet and later on Friday night, had a long meeting with Bhagwat after dinner. The ongoing activities related to cabinet reshuffle, internal security and other topics are believed to have figured during the discussion.

Shah turned up at Keshav Dham early on Saturday but after a meeting with Bhagwat, left at 10.30 am. Office bearers of 35 affiliate organisations of the RSS are also participating in the meet.