RSS sees 'nothing bad' in personality cult

Manindra Thakur, professor of political science at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and noted poll analyst, said that the BJP may not be sidelining the veterans without the knowledge or approval of the RSS.

"There is not much possibility of a scuffle between RSS and Modi. For the time being, the RSS has allowed Modi to take over decision-making as they believe he can win election for the BJP. But even if he did, the RSS must be having something in mind to stop him later. We will have to wait to see what that plan is."

However, other experts are of the opinion that the rising stature of Modi may soon become a thorny issue for the RSS too. Already, the old guard of the BJP is increasingly being sidelined and alienated, and have been vocally resentful of Modi's dominance of the party.

"There is a Modi wave going on in the sense that he is acknowledged to be the strongest candidate. But the RSS will eventually not like such a personality cult in the politics of the BJP," said Kamal Chenoy of the Aam Aadmi Party.

"Even if Modi won and became the prime minister, the RSS will try to stop him from becoming a larger than life figure. They may just prefer somebody from the old guard such as Advani again, if Modi fails in the election," said Chenoy, professor in JNU's School of International Studies.