India's political landscape and BJP's campaign tactics

The current political climate is characterized by increasing polarisation, signaling a move away from established democratic practices towards a more centralized and potentially authoritarian style of governance The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), guided by its ideological commitment to Hindutva, is actively pursuing an ambitious electoral program. The party aims to win an overwhelming parliamentary majority of more than 400 seats, emphasizing its quest for political supremacy.

 

By Mehr un Nisa


This goal involves a series of targeted tactics, particularly aimed at influencing Hindu voters in northern India and making inroads into regions that normally resist their influence, such as southern India. The BJP's strategic use of religious symbols, such as the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, is aimed at polarising Hindu voters in the northern heartland. The careful orchestration of the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony was a key element in strengthening the BJP's electoral fortunes.

 


This approach capitalises on deep-rooted connections within its primary Hindu base. However, this tactical manipulation risks further alienating secular voters and exacerbating existing communal tensions. Such risky electoral strategies highlight the party's precarious balance between religious mobilisation and the need to maintain social harmony within a diverse nation. Another strategy of the BJP is to portray the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as “normal” after the revocation of Article 370. However, this portrayal overlooks the ongoing challenges in the region, including deep-rooted grievances and human rights issues.

 


As the saying goes, no amount of whitewashing can hide the inherent problems, suggesting that the BJP's portrayal of an idyllic Kashmir may appear insubstantial to voters who want real solutions. Traditionally, South India has been dominated by regional and Congress-affiliated parties, posing significant challenges to the BJP's expansionist efforts in the area. However, recent developments indicate a marked shift in the BJP's strategy towards the southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana. The party is aiming to win up to seven seats in Tamil Nadu and increase its vote share from 4% to 20% in 2019. By working to weaken opposition leaders and build a stronger presence in these regions, tactics such as targeted crackdowns by government agencies highlight the BJP's relentless efforts to break down traditional political barriers.

 

 

-Southern push

 

In the southern states, the BJP's strategies are tailored to local political nuances. While alliance-building in Karnataka could improve its prospects in a stronghold, the party's focus on Lingayat-centric politics could alienate other communities. Moreover, attempts to gain a foothold in Kerala by positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream parties could face resistance from established political identities. Conversely, in a state with strong anti-BJP sentiments rooted in historical political ideologies, efforts to establish a new leadership in Tamil Nadu could face challenges.

 

Contested narratives such as the "love jihad" theory and the use of hate speech by BJP representatives pose a major challenge to the party's electoral efforts. Such narratives could alienate voters, especially in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu where social harmony is highly valued. As India gears up for critical elections, the role of the Muslim population is also a crucial factor in shaping the political dynamics. Indian Muslims, who constitute about 15% of the population, being the socio-economically disadvantaged majority, face an increasingly precarious situation characterised by marginalisation and heightened communal tensions.

 

The spectre of persistent discrimination suggests that Indian Muslims face constant prejudice and bias, which negatively impacts their socio-political standing and rights. In this climate of increasing stigmatisation and political polarisation, it is imperative for Indian Muslims to carefully assess their current situation and prepare for future challenges. India's political landscape depends to a large extent on the collective actions of its diverse population, which includes the large Muslim community. By capitalising on their demographic strength and voting potential, Muslim voters can exert a decisive influence, especially in regions with a large Muslim population.

 

Historical voting patterns and recent trends show that unified support for specific political parties or alliances can influence election outcomes in key constituencies. A concerted effort to support a single political alliance, such as the Congress-led Indian alliance, has the potential to translate numerical strength into tangible electoral results. The current political climate is characterized by increasing polarisation, an erosion of democratic norms, and a noticeable rise in authoritarian tendencies, signaling a move away from established democratic practices towards a more centralized and potentially authoritarian style of governance.

 

The BJP's abuse of power and neglect of democratic principles point to a move away from secularism towards the pursuit of a Hindu Rashtra, which seriously jeopardizes India's pluralist democracy. The stakes are high and the time for collective action has come. By overcoming their divisions and rallying behind a unified electoral strategy, Indian Muslims can exert their influence on the country's political future.

 

*The author is Head of Research and Human Rights at the Islamabad-based think tank Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR). She can be contacted at:: mehr_dua@yahoo.com

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