The RSS today said one of the reasons behind the NDA's setback in the Lok Sabha polls was the public perception that the BJP had diluted its ideology.

"The credit goes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee for whatever the alliance has won, but politics is all about perception. The core voter and cadre developed a disinterest as there was a perception about dilution in its [the BJP's] ideology," RSS spokersperson Ram Madhav told reporters at the BJP headquarters.

Madhav also regretted absence of ideology as an issue in the elections.

"As a result, local issues came up prominently," he said.

He added that the RSS believes the BJP and its leaders are committed to the party's ideology.

Asked whether the BJP should go back to its core Hindutva ideology, he said that was for the BJP to decide.

PTI