VarnanLive

BJP’s Haryana state assembly win has sent a wave of optimism not only among the BJP supporters; but the entire right wing nationalist constituency. A strong feeling of euphoria has spread among the group with a view that BJP has finally found the winning formula.

In my view this victory has been as serendipitous for BJP as the 2024 Lok Sabha election results were for Congress. In both the cases pollsters were found licking dust and the looser were celebrating while winners were losers. I am conscious that my statements need bigger explanation.

First reason for my assertion is that in both the cases, the victory or loss for the two sides were not a result of strong support or strong opposition for either side – the result was an outcome of inner party feud, overconfidence and ignorance of the electorates’ wishes. As much as BJP took UP’s electorate lightly and left them literally on the benevolence of Ram Lalla, Congress ignored Haryana’s electorates’ on the mercy of Jat and other OBC consolidation. An analysis of victory or loss margins of candidates will make this very clear. So in both the cases, the lesson for loosing side is to get their acts together and go develop wider connect with the people and listen to them.

Second point to mention here is that in both the cases confident party depended solely on one issue which generated extreme confidence among their rank and file. In case of Lok Sabha election BJP were confident that Ram Lalla will sail them through a thumping victory and in case of Haryana election Congress was confident that the caste census along with farmers’ discontent and Agniveer issues were brahmastras. 

Third point to mention here is that both the parties have to learn a quick lesson and that is – they are national parties and whenever there will be disconnect between the national leadership and local leadership in terms issues and agenda, people will give a confused mandate. In a run up to the Lok Sabha election, BJP tried to divide Muslim voters with their appeasement ideas and similarly during Haryana elections Congress made confusing statements on reservation and Agniveer.

Both the parties must realise that they are national parties based on ideologies and it is better for them to stick to their ideologies and not confuse electorates’. BJP is the sole Hindu nationalist party who is seen by the vast Hindu population as saviours of Hindu faith. They should carry the ideology of promoting the Hindu civilization. Congress is seen as a party with Secular ideology  and they should remain secular – within their meaning of this word.

It is too early for BJP to celebrate. The real test of their winning formula will be proven in Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections and later in West Bengal elections.