The top brass of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its idelogical mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) huddled for the second consecutive day of the three-day meeting that started in New Delhi on 2 September to discuss key national issues.
The event is being held at Madhyanchal Bhavan, a guest house of the Madhya Pradesh government in the national capital.
BJP president Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar were among those who attended the meeting on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the coordination meet on Friday.
Education Policy
On day two, the RSS reportedly demanded 6% of the GDP to be used to improve education in the country. It also wanted the ancient Indian science and Vedic maths to be incorporated in the syllabus, besides promoting Sanskrit and other Indian languages through the curriculum.
Patel Agitation
The Patel community's demand for reservation in the OBC category in Gujarat will be another issue on the agenda. The RSS is expected to give priority to the issue as the agitation by an affluent community like the Patels has led many to rethink about the efficiency of Gujarat model of development.
Land Bill
BJP top brass will reportedly be asked to clarify its stance on the Land Bill, which has been mired in controversies from the start.
Bangladesh Infiltration
On day three, the RSS is expected to urge the BJP-led NDA govenment to keep a check on Bangladesh infiltration as the influx of migrants will eventually affect the demographics of certain states like West Bengal and Assam. RSS, which is concerned about illegal migration of Muslims from Bangladesh, will ask the Modi government to give top priority to the infiltration issue.
OROP
The One Rank One Pension (OROP) row is expected to be discussed on Friday during the coordination meeting attended by PM Modi. The RSS wants OROP to be resolved immediately as the issue has already triggered public outrage with several ex-servicemen protesting on the streets.
Other Issues
On Thursday, the RSS ideologues discussed key security issues and government's education policy with the BJP top brass. Earlier on Wednesday, economic and foreign policy issues were deliberated. Other issues, including redressal of poverty and increasing farmer suicides, were also discussed during the coordination meet.
