Shaken up by the election setbacks, the BJP is going all out to woo back its core Hindu vote bank.
During a lecture series in Delhi last September, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat tried to present a softer side of the 94-year-old right-wing organisation, taking a more accommodative view than the BJP and talking about political and religious inclusivity. During his annual Vijaya Dashami speech three weeks later, however, he was a lot more assertive, sending a message to the government on the Ram temple and urban naxals. Two months later, Bhagwat’s tone became sterner, as he said “only temple will be built in Ayodhya”, and mentioned the yet-to be-announced national education policy. Many felt it signalled his growing impatience with the Narendra Modi government.
The defeat in the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh was a shock for the BJP, and a reality check for those in the party who expected the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to be a cakewalk. Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s comment that the leadership should own up to the party’s poor performance was interpreted as a note of dissent. Gadkari lauding the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi added to the confusion of the cadre. His outspokenness set tongues wagging over the disquiet within the party.
“The BJP’s defeat in three states that had the strongest party and RSS presence was a pointer that it had diverted from its core supporters and issues,” said an RSS insider. “Though some amount of anti-incumbency was there, the poor show in strongholds showed all was not well. The upper caste anger was visible, and so was their disenchantment. The Central government and the party needed to address it. The message is to go back to the core.”
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Denne historien er fra January 20, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
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United in the states
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COVER DRIVE
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GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
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India is not a controlling big brother
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Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
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MAKE IN MANIPUR
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