Congress, BJP spar over participation of government officials in RSS event in Madhya Pradesh

While Congress demanded that such officials be kept away from preparations for the Assembly polls due this year-end, a state BJP leader said this only shows the Congress’s “hatred” for the RSS.

A war of words has broken out between the opposition Congress and ruling BJP after a picture surfaced of some government officials attending a function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district. While a Congress parliamentarian demanded that such officials be kept away from preparations for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls due this year-end, a State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said this only shows the Congress’ “hatred” for the RSS.

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The picture shows Satna District Collector Anurag Verma and Satna Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Shahi participating in a prayer during a programme of the RSS organised on June 11.

State Congress Media Department Chairman K.K. Mishra, who tweeted the picture, told PTI on June 19 that the Satna District Collector and the city Civic Body Commissioner took part in the programme of the RSS and saluted its flag.

“It can't be expected that such officials will perform their duty without any bias in the Assembly polls, which are due later this year. Their behaviour is against the conduct meant for civil servants," Mr. Mishra claimed.

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"We are going to make a complaint to the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training,” he added. Congress Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha demanded that the Election Commission of India keep such leaders away from preparations for the Assembly polls.