Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday launched a sharp counter-offensive against state Minister Priyank Kharge, defending the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and alleging that the Congress leader was targeting the organisation purely for political advantage. The remarks came after Kharge wrote a letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat questioning the body's legal compliance and seeking a written response.

The Trigger: Kharge's Letter to Bhagwat

Minister Priyank Kharge had written to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat raising questions about the organisation's adherence to legal norms and demanding a formal reply. The letter drew immediate pushback from the ruling party's state unit, with Vijayendra calling the move politically motivated rather than a genuine governance concern.

Vijayendra's Broadside: National Herald and Minority Outfits

In a strongly worded statement, Vijayendra alleged that Priyank Kharge belonged to a family that had benefited from the acquisition of assets worth nearly ₹5,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited — publisher of the National Herald newspaper — through the Young Indian company. The allegation echoes a long-running political controversy that Congress has denied.

The BJP leader also alleged that several extremist organisations operating under minority identities were engaged in anti-national activities and receiving illegal foreign donations. He claimed the state Home Department possessed information on such activities and questioned why Kharge had not sought explanations from those groups.

What Vijayendra Said About the RSS

Defending the RSS, Vijayendra described the organisation as the world's largest voluntary body, built on transparency, national service, and sacrifice. 'The RSS has become the world's largest organisation because of its unwavering commitment to transparent conduct and national dedication. All its activities are direct, open and transparent, and are carried out in the public domain,' he said.

He also noted that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had already provided an appropriate response to recent criticisms regarding the organisation's registration status.

'Trying to Satisfy the Heirs of the Nehru Family'

Vijayendra accused Kharge of mounting what he called 'childish attacks' on the RSS as a political strategy aimed at pleasing the Nehru-Gandhi family. 'Your political capital today consists of making childish attacks on the RSS and thereby trying to satisfy the heirs of the Nehru family. If this gives you some distorted sense of satisfaction, continue doing it. I only feel pity because it is like spitting at the sky,' Vijayendra remarked.

He further alleged that Kharge was under the illusion that every criticism of the RSS would generate headlines and provoke reactions, adding that such misconceptions would soon disappear.

What Comes Next

The exchange marks a fresh escalation in the ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and the ruling Congress government in Karnataka. With the RSS's legal status and organisational conduct now drawn into state-level politics, the debate is likely to intensify as both sides seek to consolidate their respective voter bases ahead of future electoral cycles.