The RSS on Friday rejected rumours of differences with the BJP after its chief Mohan Bhagwat said a true 'sevak' was never arrogant in his first remarks after the party fell short of a majority in the Lok Sabha elections.

RSS sources told news agency PTI that there "was no rift" between the Sangh and the BJP, its ideological mentor, amid assertions by a section of people, including Opposition leaders, that Bhagwat's remarks were aimed at the saffron party's leadership or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They added that such comments were speculative and taken out of context.

At an event in Nagpur on Monday, Bhagwat said, A true 'sevak' maintains dignity. He follows the decorum while working. He does not have the arrogance to say 'I did this work'. Only that person can be called a true 'sevak'."

In response, RSS sources said, "There was not much difference in his (Bhagwat) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to make a reference to an event as important as national elections."

"But it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His 'arrogance' remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader," they added.

RSS sources also disassociated from its national executive member Indresh Kumar's swipe at the BJP over its poll performance, with a functionary saying that it was his personal opinion and did not reflect the organisation's official stand.

At an event near Jaipur on Thursday, Kumar said, "The party (BJP) which did the 'bhakti' (of Lord Ram) but became arrogant was stopped at 241, but it was made the biggest party,", adding," and those who had no faith in Ram, they together were stopped at 234", referring to the number of seats the Opposition INDIA bloc won.

As a row erupted over his remarks, Kumar on Friday said the country was happy with the BJP's poll performance and Narendra Modi becoming prime minister for the third consecutive term.

"At this moment, the latest news is that those who were against Lord Ram are out of power and those who were devotees of Lord Ram are in power," he told PTI. "Under PM Modi's leadership, the country will progress," he asserted.

Asked about the debate revolving around Bhagwat's speech, Kumar said, "It will be better if you ask authorised functionaries of Sangh about it."

Source: India Today