- Keen followers of the political development across the Indian landscape are quite aware of how the Bharatiya Janata Party’s poll machinery functions relentlessly and tirelessly. None of the political parties can challenge the BJP on this aspect as the intent, resolve, devotion, and focus to best at the hustings pushes the saffron brigade to surge ahead. Of course, challenges encountered along the way are handled adroitly, and any setbacks only push the BJP’s organizational machinery to press ahead with even more zeal and vigour. Looking at the way BJP satraps go about elections would indicate not a moment of complacency ever sets in. Even temporary setbacks vis-à-vis far from satisfactory results would deter single-minded devotion.
PC: Kumar Uttam
- We have seen all that and more in the last eight years or so. The moot point to ponder over here is where the Grand Old Party stands in comparison to the BJP’s election strategies. No brainer at all as GOP flounders from one setback to another despite boasting historical backing, organizational infrastructure, and pan-India presence. GOP has ceded grounds to several regional political parties who have established their footprints on the back of labyrinthine caste calculations. No wonder, Congress is literally staring at a crisis of existence and the confusing signals emanating from the Gandhi family has only added to the confusion reigning for a long time now. And the country is heading into some of the most crucial state elections in the coming days.
- The Election Commission’s announcement of Himachal Pradesh assembly polls on November 12 and a delayed vote count on December 8 signals the possibility that Gujarat elections may be held before December 8 and counting for both states will happen together. Note that EC had done a phased announcement of polls in the two states in 2017 too with a common counting day. Mind you, Himachal elections are especially crucial for Congress. HP has alternated between BJP and Congress from the 1990s, much like Uttarakhand until 2022. But even history doesn’t seem to favour Congress any longer. Indeed, Congress has fumbled against incumbents in state after state since 2019. In Himachal, the situation did look favourable for Congress for a while after it won all four bypolls last November.
PC: Malvika Singh
- However, constant bickering and a common phenomenon like a flight of netas out of the party have severely dented its prospects. Amid Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the presidential elections, the Congress central leadership hasn’t devoted enough time to the campaign. In contrast, PM Modi’s Dusshera visit and Vande Bharat Express launch this week were high-visibility events. Even the surprise Union Cabinet approval of ST status for the Hattee community is an indication that nothing is being left to chance given that armed forces personnel are a strong constituency, and the Agnipath scheme had raised discontent. As such, HP results look like a case of neighbouring Uttarkhand repeating given the Congress’s lack of intent. And the BJP marches ahead.
