Is it BJP all the way?

The India National Congress with its trademark tactics upped its ante against BJP for eclipsing the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi. News channels were buzz with Congress leaders vehemently accusing BJP of not respecting its legacy and undermining the sacrifices of its leaders. But Congress had to bite dust due to the lackadaisical approach of Indian public. Instead of making a mountain  out of molehill, Congress should have realised that with change in the guard and ideologies of the parties in power, focus would shift. Post-independence encomiums of martyrdom and sacrifice for country have been the fiefdom of a single family. All other freedom fighters and visionaries of exceptional statures were shunted out of public memory. The palpable enthusiasm and extensive patronage proffered on the Run for Unity in memory of the stalwart, Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his 139^th birth anniversary by BJP spell doom on the ideological regimentation of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty. Significantly, the grand Old Party should venerate the valour and sacrifice of unsung heroes, of Indian history whose contributions were subjected to derision, subjugation and condescension earlier.

BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded assembly elections in both Haryana and Maharashtra forcing political parties to introspect. Bulldozed to third position in both states Congress party is damned. In spite of these debacles the congress camp seems to be unruffled. While the sycophants of the dynasty are jealously guarding the propriety of their monarchical head, the fissures are wide open, hitting a vertical split in Tamilnadu. The staid central leadership has slipped into a default slumber mode. In sharp contrast BJP is promoting new leadership and handing reins to committed and honest leaders. The cadres are enthused by honour bestowed to deserving lower rung leadership. The lateral spread of the BJP across different states of India slowly and steadily is hard to ignore. The congress which was omniscient till 1980’s has slipped into principal opposition party in most of the states in 90’s where regional parties with strong leadership staked claims for the regional satraps. From inception BJP had strong and steady hold in the north and west India but was brandished as communal and right-wing party. It was shunned by the elite for its RSS affiliations and treated as pariah for its strong nationalist ideologies by liberals. Now the growth trajectory of the party is begrudging.

Post 2014 Lok Sabha elections, India witnessed a paradigm shift in the political scenario. A sense of aplomb and enthusiasm is pervading the nation. With the NDA government reinventing novel ways to connect with people the euphoria and interest in the public is at its zenith. In sharp contrast to existing practice of leadership disappearing into havens of power and basking in glory, the new government is veered into networking with people. The strategy of social networking has stuck chord with the middle class. Discordant voices and experts too attributed the phenomenal performance of BJP in general elections to its novel campaign architecture. Truly the worn out old system of canvassing and campaigning just before elections has lost its sheen. The poll frenzy witnessed during the general elections in 2014 was unprecedented. The voters were swayed by BJP which embarked on a disruptive innovation mode. Instead of relying on the traditional formats of reaching the masses it has reformed its strategy. Employing an army of ingenious netizens, hit the social media to spread its message. Besides toiling 24X7 on social networking sites, well coordinated traditionally appealing rallies helped them to reach the poor and downtrodden. Subsequently they eroded authentic vote banks and amassed support.

Now, the predilection of Prime Minister Modi to connect with people has taken politics to a new level. The passionate tenor to establish a rapport with people is appealing. Be it the message to children on the eve of teacher’s day or the out-reach programmes or Mann Ki Baat in radio or a visit to Siachen on Diwali, all these attempts have stuck chord with public. While opposition lambasted these gestures as election strategies they are awfully short of such innovative formulae. Alternatively, BJP is making inroads into different states with a new approach not contrived by others. Stellar performance of BJP in elections spurs political parties to be proactive, aggressive and to discard political chicanery. Attitudes and expectations of people have changed. The ruse of caste, creed and religion may no longer guarantee victory in elections. People are aspiring for a vibrant India. The parties under the tutelage of a dynasty or a family are going to be hard hit.  With burgeoning perception levels of Gen X politics is no longer a cake wake. The meteoric rise of the AAP stands testimony to the fact that people no longer tolerate messy politics. BJP gained enormous ground by inviting public opinion and stupendous social networking. By breaking the traditional juggernaut of vicious campaigning it projected itself as a crusader. There are still miles to go. But Aristotle’s quote of “well begun is half done” is concomitant to BJP for time being.

 

@ Copyrights reserved.