Hindutva the trumpcard of Modi's politics

Dec 10:  Applying all arms before Gujarat polls it is hindutva, the most reliable weapon like Brahmastra of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) upon which Modi has to bank on eventually. Knowing well that even Godhra carnage could not desist him from winning the election and sitting on the throne of Gujarat. Keeping that winning strategy into mind Modi played the last card expecting that perhaps this time too hindutva could be decisive factor for his party.

The phase of allegation and counter-allegation started severely after Congress President Sonia Gandhi campaign in Gujarat last week. Sonia had made the “merchants of death” remarks, in an apparent reference to Chief Minister Narendra Modi at a public rally at Navsari on December 1. This gave opportunity to BJP to play the communal factor and the most controversial statement by Modi on Sohrabuddin again turned a shameful situation to his own advantage. Sohrabuddin was killed in fake encounters by the Gujarat police. The reactions were exactly on the lines that Modi would have wanted since it has helped bring hate politics back on the agenda in the run-up to the assembly polls.

Election Commission issued notices to both the congress president and Gujarat chief minister for the violation of model code of conduct during campaign polls.

Besides the Election Commission had also issued notices to congress leader Digvijay Singh and BJP’s V K Malhotra. Digvijay had reportedly talked about “existence of hindu terrorism in Gujarat” while Malhotra was accused of saying Sonia of harbouring “hatreds for Hindus”.

Initially Modi had started a positive poll campaign in the name of development. But after realizing that the issue is not going very successful for his political campaign; he brought himself back on the track of “caste and religion” and set the ground rules for the elections on his own terms.

Narendra Modi has now decided to polarize the voters in the name of caste and religion, and use the development plank only to create a false veneer over his real style of functioning.

Indeed, Modi have become an ironic figure of sorts but certainly not a leader, who can inspire confidence of many in his own party. His style of politics has not changed and his talk of development is only aimed at misleading the intelligentsia.

In India development has never been a successful plank. Had it been, many of our politicians would never have lost elections. Indira Gandhi lost election from Rae Bareli in 1977 despite nursing her constituency so meticulously. H. K. L. Bhagat responsible for laying the foundation of development in East Delhi lost from there in 1991 election. In Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala’s record for development was impressive but despite that his party was thrashed by the Congress in 2005.

The BJP has tried the development plank earlier but it has always brought disappointment for the party. In 2004 parliamentary election BJP, tried to create an impression upon the voters with his ‘Shining India’ campaign and ‘Feel Good’ factor, but all went in vain as the party not only lost the election but prestige too.

Development is not about the construction of roads and building mountain high buildings and flyovers; but it is to provide economic sustainability to the lowest rung of the society. But unfortunately BJP has failed to realise the fact yet.

Those achievements might impress the middle class urban Gujarati but have very little value outside this charmed circle. Ordinary people wish to see what these have meant in their own lives. Speak to any poor Gujarati in rural or urban areas about these achievements and he will narrate to you the tale of his woes in obtaining the basic necessities of life. The voters hold him responsible for everything, from price rise and lack of employment to agrarian crisis, the state of BPL card and having to pay electricity bills.

All the last three elections won comfortably by the BJP with the one over-riding emotive issue changing with the different span of time for instance, Ayodhya Mandir in 1995, Hajuria-Khajuria split in 1998 and the post-Godhra massacre in 2002. This election was to be about “Gujarati asmita”, about a state that has discovered its identity and vibrancy. In short this election was to be a plebiscite on Modi.

Indeed winning in any game does matter at last. But if any team plays without sportsman spirit, it doesn’t win the heart of sports admirers in perpetuity despite winning the game. Moreover, politics is not a game – winning and losing should hardly matter. It is something where politicians should always be ready for making sacrifice. But, unfortunately not happened yet.

Communal politics must not allowed in our country as it spread the communal disharmony, spread violence and creating separation between minority and majority and moreover gives a negative picture globally- and that is not a good sign for the unity and integrity of our democratic country.