- One critical component of the BJP that must be admired and appreciated is the way the top leadership moves to douse any potentially catastrophic fire coming in the path of growth or its footprints. We are aware of how the relentless march of the BJP’s electoral machinery traverses around the country even if it is a mere by-election. The intensity, purposefulness, seriousness, and urge to win at any cost simply demonstrate the BJP’s single-minded focus on winning any election. The efforts put forth by the BJP in this regard are worthy of emulation by other political parties. The BJP is hungry to not only contest whatever election along the way but also quite prepared to go through the grind to ensure it stays on course. A great trait indeed.
PC: India Today
- The BJP must also be credited with noticing any potential dissidence or activities inimical to its interests affecting the overall electoral equilibrium. Again, the top leadership must be credited for not wavering one bit in initiating suitable measures to quell dissidence with decisive moves. It’s amazing to note how BJP showcased its ability to quickly manage trouble. The moot point to ponder over here is whether it will pay off in the ensuing polls. The BJP in Haryana dumped its erstwhile coalition partner and changed its CM about seven months before the assembly’s term is scheduled to end. BJP state government appears safe. Instead, its erstwhile coalition partner, JJP, is staring at a split. It yet again shows the BJP’s unsentimental approach and political hunger.
- These are the traits that keep the BJP in pole, and poll, position perpetually. Note that BJP emerged as a dominant party in Haryana in 2014. However, voting patterns between Lok Sabha and assembly elections were distinct in 2019. In LS, BJP swept the state with about 58% vote share. In assembly elections a few months later, its vote share dropped almost 22 percentage points, and BJP fell short of a majority. Hence the troubled coalition with JJP. Since in LS, the Modi factor changes equations, BJP appeared reluctant to part with any of the 10 seats it won. Of course, Jats are politically the state’s most significant group. The most striking aspect of BJP’s social engineering in Haryana is its influence over all non-Jat groups.
PC: India Today
- Mind you, neither the sacked CM Khattar, nor the new CM Saini, is Jat. Neither has the BJP shown much sympathy towards farmers’ demands, which resonate among Jats. Crafting a new winning social combination has been a standout feature of the BJP in the states it has come to dominate. By moving Khattar out without disturbing the underlying social coalition, the BJP may have offset some of the unhappiness against the state government. But there’s more to it. Both BJP and Congress have been confronted by rocky state governments. But the big difference is that the former replaces state leaders without a government imploding. And these mass culls don’t seem to impact BJP’s subsequent electoral performances either. A lesson to learn for other political parties.
