Temple entry marks a new era in politics
Hindustan Times|January 20, 2024
With the Ram Temple, the BJP has a clear agenda and PM Modi's charisma to pull together a rainbow Hindu coalition. The Opposition's response is still forming
Temple entry marks a new era in politics

Winter mornings in Lucknow are often forlorn. Dew-lined streets hum with the gentle patter of walkers, the occasional screech of an auto or bus shattering the calm. Yet as Suresh Kumar scampered up the road to the imposing gates of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office one cold morning last week, things were anything but calm. Hundreds of party workers were already there, waiting to be let in. Kumar and the others shuffled into a familiar rectangular room, its walls papered with white motifs of seasonal flowers. There, they were briefed on the elaborate plan that the party had drawn up to reach out to voters in the run-up to the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. For around four hours, Kumar took notes as office bearers sketched the city out, giving each worker areas to cover on foot.

The next morning, Kumar got cracking. Leaving his house in Lucknow's cramped Aliganj area at the crack of dawn, he spent the morning with a group of 30 workers, distributing akshat (uncooked rice offered to the deity) to 600 households in the neighbourhood. An e-rickshaw carrying bagfuls of akshat followed them. A saffron scarf draped around his neck, Kumar knocked on each door, greeted the residents with the customary Jai Shri Ram and then handed them a handful of akshat grain, a photograph of the temple and a pamphlet requesting them to visit Ayodhya after the consecration ceremony.

"The response was ecstatic, many people even came out of their house to receive the invitation," said Kumar, who runs a small provisions store. "I have urged my wife to manage the store till January 22. I'll be out till late," he said. The men are on a regimen - they have to be on the road between 8am and 2pm, take a break for lunch, and then hit the pavement again between 4pm to 6pm. By nightfall, they would have spoken to 400 households, establishing a preliminary relationship that could be built on, come the general elections this summer.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 20, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 20, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HINDUSTAN TIMESAlle anzeigen
2.5mn Indians died from rising air pollution
Hindustan Times

2.5mn Indians died from rising air pollution

At least 2.5 million people in India have died on account of health issues arising from air pollution caused by so-called landscape fires (such as those caused by the burning of farm stubble) between 2000 and 2019, according to a study published by Lancet on Wednesday.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Put A Period To The Silent Suffering
Hindustan Times

Put A Period To The Silent Suffering

As Neha Bhasin's struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder has sparked a discussion, let's dive deep into this medical disorder

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Keerthy Suresh confirms relationship with Antony Thattil
Hindustan Times

Keerthy Suresh confirms relationship with Antony Thattil

Actor Keerthy Suresh, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Baby John co-starring Varun Dhawan, recently shared her first-ever picture with long-time boyfriend, businessman Antony Thattil, on Instagram.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
After brother Chay, Akhil Akkineni is also engaged
Hindustan Times

After brother Chay, Akhil Akkineni is also engaged

Days ahead of actor Naga Chaitanya's wedding with actor Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4, his younger brother, actor Akhil Akkineni, 30, has also announced his engagement with artist Zulfi Ravdjee, 39.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
RUPALI'S STEPDAUGHTER RELEASES 'FINAL' STATEMENT AFTER DEFAMATION SUIT
Hindustan Times

RUPALI'S STEPDAUGHTER RELEASES 'FINAL' STATEMENT AFTER DEFAMATION SUIT

Actor Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma criticised the defamation case against her in a recent post, clarifying that she was only exercising her rights

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
FEUD INTENSIFIES AS DHANUSH SUES NAYANTHARA
Hindustan Times

FEUD INTENSIFIES AS DHANUSH SUES NAYANTHARA

After Nayanthara accused Dhanush of a 'personal grudge', the actor has filed a suit against her for using footage from his production without authorisation

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
Delivering an Olympics, a complicated process
Hindustan Times

Delivering an Olympics, a complicated process

Sebastian Coe, the only man in Olympic history to win back-to-back 1,500m gold medals, who heads World Athletics and is in the running to be the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), brought up the Perth Test.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Anticipated shuffle: Rohit and Gill for Padikkal, Jurel
Hindustan Times

Anticipated shuffle: Rohit and Gill for Padikkal, Jurel

The focus at this weekend's warm-up game will be on changes India could make for Adelaide's pink-ball Test match

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Gvardiol errors emblematic of what is going wrong at Manchester City
Hindustan Times

Gvardiol errors emblematic of what is going wrong at Manchester City

Erling Haaland had scored on either side of half-time and between the Norwegian's goals, Ilkay Guendogan's sweetly struck left-footer took a deflection beating the impressive Timon Wellenreuther in Feyenoord's goal.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Wrestler Bajrang to appeal against doping verdict
Hindustan Times

Wrestler Bajrang to appeal against doping verdict

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said he will appeal against the four-year ban imposed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for an anti-doping rule violation at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024