Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his rallies in Rajasthan on Tuesday has signalled that BJP’s answer to ‘the seven guarantees’ of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be its “politics of polarization”. Amit Shah’s speeches have given ample indications that the BJP is going to use the issues having polarising potential during the campaign for the Rajasthan assembly polls. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also given a message on this line when he mentioned the Kanhaiya Lal murder case during his visit to Alwar.But now that Shah mentioned the Udaipur massacre, Ram Navami and Article 370 in his election rallies, it has become clear that the BJP will try to corner Congress on these issues. Shah addressed three rallies in Kuchaman, Makrana and Parbatsar in the Nagaur district of the state and sought votes for the party candidates. It is clear that along with polarization, the BJP will also raise the issues of paper leaks, unemployment, corruption, PFI etc. At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also visiting Rajasthan on Thursday. There are indications that Modi will also corner Congress on these issues.
BJP is set to use some issues that will help promote its political agenda on “polarization” lines. These issues are the Kanhaiyalal murder case, and the ban on Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti processions, while not banning organisations like PFI in Rajasthan. The BJP will push for these issues in a bid to woo Hindu voters. As the BJP did not field even a single Muslim candidate, it is speculated to be a part of the party’s strategy to send a message to the Hindu voters.
Shah also indicated that the party will not repeat Karnataka’s mistake here. This means that issues like Bajrang Bali will be avoided. Shah targeted the Gehlot government over the controversial “Lal Diary” by mentioning the “red colour”, and also tried to woo the youth by mentioning the paper leak cases. He linked the paper leak cases to growing unemployment. At the same time, the BJP has already made women’s safety and law and order a major poll issue.
Congress is clueless on countering “polarisation politics”
BJP strategists believe that Congress does not have any counter for its polarization politics. Congress is aware that sooner or later BJP will push the Hindutva agenda during the campaign. With this in mind, CM Gehlot and the Congress party are making it a point to follow Hindu customs and rituals in every campaign and programme. Chief Minister Gehlot started the “Guarantee Yatra” by offering prayers at the Ganesh temple of Dungri. There is no doubt that Congress is very alert in the matter of Hindutva after the Karnataka elections. However, the issue of polarisation continues to be a cause of concern for the party. If the BJP continues to spotlight the Kanhaiyalal murder case then it will add to Congress’s troubles. Hence, the BJP is strategizing such that PM Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath hold the maximum possible rallies in Rajasthan. The saffron party wants the rallies of these leaders to convey a meaningful message to the Hindu community in the state. Meanwhile, Congress is expecting victory only based on Chief Minister Gehlot’s schemes and guarantees.
