BJP’s strong organisational network and strategic wins leave opposition struggling with family-centric politics and disarray.
New Delhi: With its recent victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and now Delhi, the BJP has sounded a serious alarm for the opposition. These were states where the party was believed to be facing challenges before the elections. However, by securing back-to-back wins, the BJP has demonstrated the power of a strong organisational structure.
The BJP has discovered a winning formula that has already diminished the opposition, particularly in North India. The party is now gradually implementing this strategy in non-Hindi-speaking states as well, with increasing success. The BJP has already formed a government in Odisha, maintains dominance in the Northeast, and has previously governed Karnataka.
This success does not stem from any magical formula but rather from the BJP’s massive, dedicated organisational network. This network includes not only BJP workers but also members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who work selflessly to turn the tide in the party’s favour, even in difficult situations.
The victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi can be attributed as much to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as to the committed workers of the BJP and its affiliated organisations. Modi’s image of honesty, combined with Shah’s relentless electoral strategies, has created a formidable force. Additionally, RSS workers have effectively spread the message of nationalism and Hindutva, presenting the BJP as essential for the country’s future. This approach has helped counteract casteism and regionalism.
Opposition in disarray
In contrast, most opposition parties, including the Congress, remain fixated on family-centric politics. They appear disconnected from the pulse of the nation, which has led to their continuous decline. Their leadership is surrounded by sycophants, oblivious to the party’s sinking fortunes.
Among the opposition, the Congress, a 140-year-old party, remains the main contender against the BJP. However, weakened by a fragile organisational structure, the Congress is now struggling for survival. Once a dominant force across India, it has been reduced to a presence in just three states. The top three leaders of the Gandhi family have secured parliamentary seats, but the party itself is shrinking, resembling regional outfits like the Samajwadi Party, NCP, and RJD, where family comes first, and the organisation comes later.
Sonia Gandhi’s unwavering focus on her son has prevented her from taking bold steps to rescue the party. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi still fail to grasp that without a strong organisational framework, their leadership alone will not secure votes.
The Congress might find solace in AAP’s defeat in Delhi, seeing it as a reduction of competition. However, instead of celebrating, the Gandhi family must urgently assess how to revive their party. The BJP, having learned from past mistakes, is now strategically ensuring that even Congress strongholds like Kerala remain out of reach. The upcoming elections in Kerala next year will be a major test for the party’s survival.
Regional parties in crisis
Other regional parties face similar struggles. The Samajwadi Party is faltering due to its family-first approach, with positions distributed among relatives. The same is true for RJD, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. These parties prioritise their kin over dedicated workers, putting them on the brink of collapse.
To safeguard their existence, these family-run parties formed the I.N.D.I Alliance. However, after the Delhi election results, this coalition’s future is uncertain. The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to blame Congress for its loss, further weakening the alliance. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee may also distance herself, focusing instead on the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections in two years. Meanwhile, internal defections are expected within other opposition parties.
In this scenario, the only hope for the opposition’s survival lies in Congress breaking free from the Gandhi family’s dominance and bringing competent leaders to the forefront. Otherwise, India appears headed toward a political landscape with no significant opposition.