Mohan Bhagwat new RSS chief

Nagpur, Mar 21 (PTI) Mohan Bhagwat was Saturday elected
the new chief of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) here in
India's western state of Maharashtra and is expected to
redefine relations with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) at a time
when the saffron party is trying hard to come back to power at
the Centre.

He replaces K S Sudarshan who steps down after being at
the helm of the Sangh Parivar founthead for nearly nine years
when there were ups and downs in its ties with BJP during Atal
Bihari Vajpayee's term as Prime Minister of the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

The election of Bhagwat as Sarsanghchalak (RSS chief)
came on the second day of the three-day RSS conclave which is
expected to redefine its relationship with the BJP. BJP
president Rajnath Singh and Bal Apte, on deputation from RSS,
were present on the occasion.

59-year-old Bhagwat, who has good relations with the BJP
leadership including L K Advani, was replaced as general
secretary by veteran ideologue Suresh Soni. Soni used to be in
the BJP hierarchy a few years ago as a joint general
secretary.

A veterinary doctor, Bhagwat hails from Chandrapur in
Maharashtra and became a pracharak (full time volunteer) of
RSS from his early years.

Bhagwat's name had recently figured in the ATS
chargesheet when one of the accused in the Malegaon blasts
had linked him to ISI, a charge he had strongly denied.

Sudarshan's early years as RSS chief were tumultuous with
the BJP in power at the Centre at a time when the Sangh
Parivar came under attack due to the post-Godhra riots in
Gujarat and the Jinnah controversy triggered by Advani during
a trip to Pakistan. PTI JOE
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