The Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have reviewed its narrative mid-way through the ongoing elections, and instead of dwelling on its claims about development and related issues, has sharpened its attacks on the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi.
The objective is clearly to make it a Modi versus Rahul confrontation, even though the Congress has repeatedly said that it was not in the contention for the position of Prime Minister. In the past two polls, the BJP got a head start over its adversaries after its candidates were successful in virtually 90% of seats where the two national parties were pitted against each other in a straight combat.
This time around, the Congress is faring better than earlier occasions, and it is therefore a well-calculated strategy of the saffron brigade to deliver some punches which can knock it out. It should be mentioned here that the Congress is both the strong and weak link in the Opposition alliance.
It implies that if the Congress performs better than before, it shall adversely impact the BJP’s chances and its numbers would come down. Therefore, by attacking Rahul Gandhi and the Congress manifesto, as the BJP has been doing in the past few days, it wants to take away the initiative of the grand old party that has been apparently making inroads in some areas.
It has to be understood that it suits the BJP to make it into a Modi versus Rahul battle and in these circumstances, the Congress would do much better if it was to bat on its own pitch rather than being derailed by the BJP. It should in states like Punjab not give tickets to any tainted politician facing a genuine ED investigation.
The Congress accusations regarding the failure of the government to provide jobs, on rising prices and in respect of infringing the Constitution, were touching a chord. However, once it gets caught in a slug fest with the BJP on the saffron issues, it shall end up as the loser.
The first phase in particular perhaps gave the BJP a reality check on the current elections.
The entire discourse moved away to the divisive agenda with hate speeches being highlighted in the electronic media. The question being asked is that why would the BJP resort to hate speech and divisive tactics, if its own game plan was going to reap political dividends. It is evident that that the original narrative was not working too well.
Thus, it is not surprising that finding the Congress more vulnerable than its I.N.D.I.A bloc allies, the BJP has singled it out for scathing attacks. The Congress does not have the wherewithal to counter some of these attacks and for unknown reasons, the Election Commission has not stepped in so far to contain this hate-filled divisive assault.
The Election Commission has been under fire for quite some time and cartoons figuring the three gentlemen who run this body have been doing the rounds on the social media. This is most unfortunate since the EC has gained respect throughout the world for its impartiality in running the elections in the largest democracy, and its reputation is now at stake.
The regional parties have made the BJP’s task equally difficult since in many parts, the sitting Chief Ministers are being portrayed by their cadres as potential Prime Ministers if the Lok Sabha fails to provide a decisive verdict. It is also not a co-incidence that the “400 paar” slogan has taken a backseat, and is not being echoed as forcefully as it was before the electoral process had commenced.
The BJP has taken too many unnecessary risks in its ticket distribution by denying its own cadres the nomination in many regions, leading to resentment. The Modi centric election is aimed at ensuring that people vote for the Prime Minister regardless of who is the BJP nominee. At the beginning this appeared to be a proper strategy, but obviously, in many areas, people expect the candidates to have a personality of their own as well.
Therefore, it is to be seen whether the “lamppost” approach shall work in the end for the saffron brigade, which needs to put its act together for the remaining phases in order to regain its glory, and give the Prime Minister a record third term. There is no doubt that Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the country at this juncture, but a well thought through strategy and game plan to exploit his elevated status is also simultaneously needed to get past the winning post.
The Congress is likely to sound its poll bugle in Uttar Pradesh to dispel the impression that it was ignoring the most populous state of the country which sends 80 members to Parliament. With polling in Wayanad over, the Congress is expected to declare the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Amethi and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi from Rae Bareli, in order to step up its counter-offensive.
The BJP’s central leadership had wanted Feroze Varun Gandhi to contest from Rae Bareli but he has declined to enter the fray. In fact, he has completely kept himself away from these polls and opted for a sabbatical in order to rethink his future course of action.
In the meanwhile, both Rahul and Priyanka are expected to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya before filing their nominations from Amethi and Rae Bareli, respectively. In all, the current elections are likely to throw up many surprises. Between us.