The election outcomes of Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir inform two completely different tales and defy narratives. The reason being apparent. The meeting polls have been necessary, particularly when it comes to a broader political notion, as a result of they have been the primary main elections after the Lok Sabha polls wherein the BJP’s tally was decreased. Since then, opposition events, primarily Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi, have unfold propaganda in opposition to the BJP with nice vigour. But, they don’t have something concrete with which to sway the folks in opposition to the ruling dispensation. Propaganda can’t change actuality.
The Haryana election result’s undoubtedly not a verdict for Manohar Lal Khattar or Bhupinder Singh Hooda. They might have been the first actors, however the election was about way more. Had the BJP been defeated, it will not solely have emboldened the Opposition events but in addition inspired them to provoke a contemporary marketing campaign in opposition to the BJP usually, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi specifically.
Though Haryana is a small state, it’s a litmus take a look at. The Opposition’s delusions of a victory foretold proved to be a boon for the BJP. There isn’t a doubt that the Haryana election was a referendum on Modi’s recognition and the impression of the BJP’s socio-economic programmes.
4 components led to the BJP’s victory. One, the nationalisation of the election diverted voters’ consideration from native leaders and components. The huge welfare programmes created a powerful, silent vote financial institution for the BJP, particularly among the many marginalised courses. They continue to be unmoved by the caste and spiritual appeals of native leaders. Girls and youth are additionally among the many beneficiaries of Modinomics.
Second, the social philosophy of the Congress has not advanced. The celebration has been unable to gauge both the general public sentiment or the impression of Hindutva on the Indian thoughts. Rahul Gandhi has been making an attempt, with dedication, to resurrect an outdated model of secularism. The Congress is mired in a scarcity of readability so far as tradition, faith and the legacies of the nation are involved. There’s now nobody within the celebration — like Sampurnanad or Okay M Munshi — to interact and debate with Rahul Gandhi on important social and cultural points. He’s each an ideologue and a pacesetter. This was not the case with Jawaharlal Nehru or Indira Gandhi.
Third, the centre of the Congress marketing campaign was the house of its chief, Hooda. The BJP, then again, works — actually and symbolically — by means of the celebration. The message is evident. In a democracy, folks can’t be hostages to a dynasty. Literacy is rising, and so is democratic consciousness.
Fourth, because of its politics, Congress has turn into the celebration of a selected caste in Haryana. The BJP’s outreach and beliefs is extra holistic. Furthermore, Congress did not reorganise or reorient its employees on the grassroots. Its success will depend on fragmentation in society. Due to this fact, it allies with leaders and forces who galvanise caste, communal and regional politics. That is the Congress’s folly. The BJP used constructive social programmes to reinforce its social assist base.
The decision in Jammu and Kashmir is unfavourable to the BJP — however the outcome can also be a few much less apparent narrative. This was the primary election after the abrogation of Article 370. The abrogation heralded a brand new period within the state. Within the final six years, the state has skilled much-desired improvement. Greater than two crore vacationers visited J&Okay in 2023. Greater than 70 lakh beneficiaries acquired Rs 6,000 crore by means of Direct Profit Switch (DBT). The enrolment of 1,80,000 youngsters in pre-primary faculties exhibits that the times of stone-pelting have ended. The empowerment of panchayats and native management is seen within the state.
However, the Muslim-majority state has rejected the BJP. The onus is just not on the saffron celebration. Its insurance policies and programmes stay non-discriminatory. The bigger query is in regards to the impression of faith on voting. Variety is just not solely important to cultural and social life — it’s in politics too. Segmentation alongside caste or neighborhood traces could make democracy stagnant.
Political modernity requires pondering when it comes to improvement and non-sectarian insurance policies. The BJP’s outreach to Muslims is part of the democratic course of however extra necessary is Muslims’ outreach to the Hindus usually and RSS specifically. For the final hundred years, the method has been one-sided.
The arrival of increasingly more folks from outdoors the state — in numerous roles and professions, together with enterprise, authorities employees, and many others — was misused as a political subject by the Nationwide Convention. The significance of safeguarding in opposition to such narratives is a lesson for the BJP.
Haryana and J&Okay have demonstrated that the folks are actually on the centrestage — an elitist politics has no buy. Each election provides a brand new dimension to Indian democracy. The most important problem past the decision is to liberate events from a slim, divisive strategy, which undermines the values of liberal democracy. The BJP’s power is its organisation and employees. The identical is just not true for the Opposition. Each in Haryana and J&Okay, Congress trusted dynasts and caste and communal polarisation. Will it study or proceed on a failed path?
The author is a former BJP Rajya Sabha MP
