In the face of a stiff challenge to its ideological re-positioning since NDA's ascension to power two years back, the RSS has begun to train it's own opinion makers to take on the liberal Left. More than 300 bloggers and thinkers seen to be sympathetic to BJPs ideological mentor RSS, will learn the craft of discourse-domination at a convention centre in New Delhi for two days beginning on Saturday.

BJP President Amit Shah will be giving the key note inaugural address at the seminar on Saturday being organised by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukjerjee Research foundation, a trust closely associated with the RSS. Participation is strictly by invitation. The larger theme to be covered by a host of speakers over the two days will be: Space for acceptance of alternate narrative and ideologies in a new-age India.

RSS has been working on a long-term strategy aimed at gaining larger traction in the new age media. The exercise gained momentum in the aftermath of the nation-wide outrage generated earlier this year by the suicide of Rohith Vemula, a dalit student of Hyderabad Central University. A section of the RSS believes that the Left intelligentsia despite attrition in its political capital continues to dominate the public discourse. This also was evident during the Award Vaapasi campaign late last year.

At its annual general body meeting in Rajasthan in March this year, the RSS discussed and debated a larger strategy to reach out to the dalits in particular. But the recent flogging of dalits in Gujarat, a BJP stronghold, has shattered this tactical dalit outreach. Party leader Dayashankar Singh's slur against BSP chief Mayawati has made things worse for the party in poll bound UP.

So over the next two days, RSS's intellectual warriors will be trained and taught how to fight this war in the media space. Party General Secretary Ram Madhav, MPs Vinay Sahastrabushe and Swapan DasGupta will hold separate sessions over the next two days.

Niti Ayog members are also likely to address the participants. The training programme will end on Sunday evening with RSS Joint General Secretary Dr Krishna Gopal delivering the keynote address.