New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today (May 13, 2004) said one of the reasons for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) setback in the Lok Sabha polls was the public perception that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had diluted its ideology.

"Whatever alliances have won credit goes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but politics is all about perception. The core voter and cadre had developed a disinterest as there was a perception about dilution in its ideology," Ram Madhav, RSS spokesperson told reporters here at BJP headquarters.

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He, however, said RSS believed that both BJP and its leaders were committed to ideology.

Asked whether the BJP should go back to its core 'hindutva' ideology, he said its for the BJP to decide.

RSS spokesman regretted absence of ideology as an issue in the elections.

"As a result of this local issues came up prominently," Madhav said.