Friday, January 6 2006 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Seeking to bring back the party on its ideological path, new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh today (Jan 6, 2006) disagreed with his predecessor L K Advani's contention on public perception about Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) 'interference' in party affairs even as he called for a nation-wide debate on core Hindutva issues, including Article 370 and Uniform Civil Code.

"I don't agree. I have been a Swayamsewak (RSS volunteer) since my students days and continue to be one. Whatever inspiration I have drawn from in my social and public life has come from the RSS. The Sangh never interferes in the affairs of the party," he told sources in his first-ever interview after taking charge as party President on January 3.

"The manner in which you consult your family or friends whenever there is any confusion, doubt or problem, I will not hesitate to consult RSS, which is my family," he said when asked about Advani's remarks at the party's Chennai national executive on the need to change the public perception that the Sangh founthead interfered in its day-to-day affairs.

Asked why Advani referred to the public perception, he said, "It could be due to some confusion. Several party leaders and party workers have RSS backgrounds and hold the Sangh leaders in highest regard. They go to the RSS offices to meet the functionaries and it may be creating an impression that they are being given directions by RSS."

On what he proposed to do to bridge the communication gap between the BJP, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which happened during Advani's tenure, he said, "I have good relations with all of them. I don't want to maintain any distance from them. There will be complete coordination."