Digvijaya Singh’s praise for RSS organisational strength triggers political storm

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has stirred a fresh political controversy after sharing an old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praising the organisational strength of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The post, made on social media platform X, drew sharp reactions from both within and outside the Congress, forcing Singh to issue a clarification reiterating that he remains a critic of the RSS and Prime Minister Modi.

The controversy began when Digvijaya Singh shared a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s showing Narendra Modi sitting on the floor near the feet of senior party leaders during his early days as an RSS pracharak.

Along with the image, Singh wrote that the picture reflected the “strength of organisation” and illustrated how an ordinary RSS worker rose to become a Chief Minister and eventually the Prime Minister of the country.

The post was quickly interpreted by many as an indirect endorsement of the RSS and the BJP’s organisational model. Political opponents accused the Congress leader of contradicting his long-standing stance against the Sangh Parivar, while sections within his own party expressed discomfort over the tone and timing of the remark.

As criticism mounted, Digvijaya Singh issued a clarification, stating that his post was not meant to praise the RSS or its ideology. “I have not praised the RSS. I only spoke about organisational strength. I remain a strong opponent of the RSS, Prime Minister Modi and their policies, and I will continue to oppose them,” Singh said, questioning whether acknowledging organisational discipline automatically amounted to ideological support.

He further argued that his intention was to highlight the importance of strong grassroots organisation in politics, implicitly suggesting that Congress must introspect and strengthen its own organisational structure if it wants to effectively counter the BJP.

The episode has placed the Congress leadership in an awkward position. While some senior leaders chose to avoid media questions on the issue, others attempted to downplay the controversy, insisting that Singh’s remarks were being misinterpreted. However, the post has reignited internal debate within the party about leadership, discipline and organisational reform.

The development comes close on the heels of a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi, where organisational strengthening was a key agenda. Political observers believe Digvijaya Singh’s post was a calculated attempt to underline the BJP’s organisational efficiency while indirectly nudging the Congress high command to focus on structural reforms ahead of upcoming elections.

Whether intended or not, Singh’s remarks have once again highlighted the contrasting organisational cultures of the BJP and the Congress, triggering a debate that is likely to continue in the days ahead.

Also Read: Mother kills 6-year-old daughter for not speak in Marathi in Navi Mumbai