The results of the Jharkhand Assembly polls are a serious setback to BJP. One of the main reasons the party could bag only 25 seats must have been its reluctance to go in for alliances. It all started with TDP which deserted it within 2 years of coming to power in AP because TDP felt it got let down in respect of Special Status for AP, then we have seen Shivsena, which was with BJP for more than 30 years in Maharashtra but left. And also it was the same case with Jharkhand too. BJP contested alone.
BJP’s footprint in the country has shrunk a lot as of now it has only 35% of the population under its fold as against over 76% during its peak in 2017, when it was straddling the entire Hindi heartland. It has lost power in 5 states in a year. This could be because of state leadership relying on Central achievements. This result proved that people’s priorities differ when it comes to Parliament and Assembly. In a way, this setback is also a refreshing sign of the resilience of Indian Democracy that keeps correcting the course of political narrative reinforcing hope for the pluralistic polity.
Congress, on the other hand, is well advised to maintain the momentum and further improve its national presence by making pragmatic regional coalitions.
For BJP coming close on the heels of below-par performance in Haryana and Maharashtra, the result in Jharkhand must have stunned its leadership, as it has failed to keep its own house in order. No doubt this shows that the BJP’s attempts to polarise voters on religious lines have limits and can not always guarantee electoral successes.
If you see the recent history, loosing financially significant Maharashtra, reinforced the contagious perception that BJP is incapable of retaining its states. Despite many wins in the past 6 years, it has also been undone in Rajasthan,& Chattisgarh. It hardly made impressive gains in TS and AP. It seized power in Karnataka using floor crosser’s help. It formed Govt in Haryana with post-poll allies. Victory in Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu where elections are coming up seems to be in doubt.
BJP must realise that divisive politics will no longer serve its purpose. In every sector people are facing problems-youth are jobless, the economy is in ICU (See today’s Interview of Arvind Subramanium to NDTV) minorities are being deprived of their rights. As such it would be better if it focuses on these issues rather than CAA, NRC, etc.
BJP’s footprint in the country has shrunk a lot as of now it has only 35% of the population under its fold as against over 76% during its peak in 2017, when it was straddling the entire Hindi heartland. It has lost power in 5 states in a year. This could be because of state leadership relying on Central achievements. This result proved that people’s priorities differ when it comes to Parliament and Assembly. In a way, this setback is also a refreshing sign of the resilience of Indian Democracy that keeps correcting the course of political narrative reinforcing hope for the pluralistic polity.
Congress, on the other hand, is well advised to maintain the momentum and further improve its national presence by making pragmatic regional coalitions.
For BJP coming close on the heels of below-par performance in Haryana and Maharashtra, the result in Jharkhand must have stunned its leadership, as it has failed to keep its own house in order. No doubt this shows that the BJP’s attempts to polarise voters on religious lines have limits and can not always guarantee electoral successes.
If you see the recent history, loosing financially significant Maharashtra, reinforced the contagious perception that BJP is incapable of retaining its states. Despite many wins in the past 6 years, it has also been undone in Rajasthan,& Chattisgarh. It hardly made impressive gains in TS and AP. It seized power in Karnataka using floor crosser’s help. It formed Govt in Haryana with post-poll allies. Victory in Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu where elections are coming up seems to be in doubt.
BJP must realise that divisive politics will no longer serve its purpose. In every sector people are facing problems-youth are jobless, the economy is in ICU (See today’s Interview of Arvind Subramanium to NDTV) minorities are being deprived of their rights. As such it would be better if it focuses on these issues rather than CAA, NRC, etc.
