ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR!

The thinking of BJP strategists is like a chess move, whichever the election may be, the party gathers with full force

- VIJAY DARDA

Though loyal supporters of the BJP were praying for a big victory, hardly anyone would have expected this bumper victory in Gujarat! Political veterans had assumed that the BJP would win around 120 seats. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah certainly expected a huge victory because the BJP under their leadership had designed such a strategy!

Visionary thinking and infallible strategy matter a lot like chess moves in politics. It was clear that being in power for more than two-and-a-half decades, the party may have to face anti-incumbency. In September last year, when Vijay Rupani was removed from the post of chief minister, it became clear that the BJP is in no mood to take any risk in the 2022 Assembly elections. The Patidar community enjoys considerable clout in Gujarat and it would have been difficult to upset them politically, so Bhupendrabhai Patel was made the chief minister. Hardik Patel, the Patel face of the Congress, also joined the BJP in June this year. Meanwhile, every possible effort was made to woo the tribals and Dalits. It is difficult to say how many of these people joined the BJP and how many remained with the Congress or walked over to the Aam Aadmi Party. But the BJP benefited from this strategy for sure. Apart from this, there were hasty announcements of many projects. It was all part of the strategy and election statecraft. Apart from this, BJP also played other cards well to attract voters. Just as they say, all is fair in love and war!