<p>The BJP’s victory in three of the four recent state assembly elections including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, indicates ossification of a trend which began five years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the ` of the collective and the collective – the BJP – has moulded itself to the characteristics of the individual. For a cadre-based organisation, where ground support was the key factor in election outcomes, to transform itself around its leader indicates a drastic shift. Mr Modi is not only the party leader. He is its message.</p><p>Mr Modi embodies the BJP’s ideology and its cadres. He is, in fact the very product that is offered to constituencies as the electoral choice. The product is a combination of three issues that have dominated Indian politics and led to successful victories over the past few years. These include the concept of Hindutva, which encompasses India’s heritage and historical legacy; nationalism – where the country comes first in all aspects of economic, social and foreign engagements and finally welfare, involving the redistribution of wealth and the provision of basic services across deprived sections. In adopting this formula, analysts have argued, the BJP has distanced itself from the concepts of liberaltarian beliefs in small governments, free trade, low taxes, etc. These were the principles upon which the Jana Sangh, the BJP’s predecessor, absorbed the reins of the Swatantra Party, formed during the time of independence. In some ways, the shift makes sense, as disparities in such a large country would risk social instabilities, undermining the unity of the Indian nation. In its current format, the BJP believes that the government has a key role to play in economic and social progress and where required, interventionist policies that serve the national interest must override the forces of free markets.</p><p>Political offering are about appeals. Voters want different things at different times and the intuitive ability to grasp changing preferences is what distinguishes winners from losers. On this score, Mr Modi can morph from one lead attribute to another, to adapt to changing circumstances. On the one hand, he has shown great statesmanship on the global stage and is now considered as one of the world’s top three leaders, in the company of the presidents of America and China. Proud of his Indian heritage he has not missed an opportunity to present its diverse Indian culture at forums and specifically as host of the G20. At this multilateral jamboree, India ensured that various sessions were held in different parts of the nation with the intent of presenting both geographies, culture and diversity to international guests. Finally, Mr Modi has displayed an image of compassion ensuring that the distribution of subsidies takes place efficiently. Government schemes now put money quickly and directly into the bank accounts of families, and entitlements are delivered effectively to those for whom they are intended.</p><p>The opposition, on the other hand, has failed to define itself along the lines of an ideology, but rather attempted to do so vis-a-vis the BJP. These definitions are negative and do not convey a robust message. For instance, the Congress party slogans that contain personal attacks on the prime minster have failed to work. Adani, for instance, cannot become the basis of a political narrative as voters simply do not care. This was a stupid strategy. Where the BJP is yet to spread its wings has been amongst Indian Muslims. Now an effort to reach out to the Pasmanda community is gaining traction. This is on the basis that welfare and socio-economic justice overrides identity issues. The strategy appears to be working. The emerging pattern of Muslim voting in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh indicate a turning point in the BJP’s relations with India’s largest minority community. The Pasmandas constitute a sizeable fraction of India’s Muslim population. Over the coming years, if they change their voting patterns, the BJP’s future electoral successes will only grow more robust.</p>
<p>The BJP’s victory in three of the four recent state assembly elections including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, indicates ossification of a trend which began five years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the ` of the collective and the collective – the BJP – has moulded itself to the characteristics of the individual. For a cadre-based organisation, where ground support was the key factor in election outcomes, to transform itself around its leader indicates a drastic shift. Mr Modi is not only the party leader. He is its message.</p><p>Mr Modi embodies the BJP’s ideology and its cadres. He is, in fact the very product that is offered to constituencies as the electoral choice. The product is a combination of three issues that have dominated Indian politics and led to successful victories over the past few years. These include the concept of Hindutva, which encompasses India’s heritage and historical legacy; nationalism – where the country comes first in all aspects of economic, social and foreign engagements and finally welfare, involving the redistribution of wealth and the provision of basic services across deprived sections. In adopting this formula, analysts have argued, the BJP has distanced itself from the concepts of liberaltarian beliefs in small governments, free trade, low taxes, etc. These were the principles upon which the Jana Sangh, the BJP’s predecessor, absorbed the reins of the Swatantra Party, formed during the time of independence. In some ways, the shift makes sense, as disparities in such a large country would risk social instabilities, undermining the unity of the Indian nation. In its current format, the BJP believes that the government has a key role to play in economic and social progress and where required, interventionist policies that serve the national interest must override the forces of free markets.</p><p>Political offering are about appeals. Voters want different things at different times and the intuitive ability to grasp changing preferences is what distinguishes winners from losers. On this score, Mr Modi can morph from one lead attribute to another, to adapt to changing circumstances. On the one hand, he has shown great statesmanship on the global stage and is now considered as one of the world’s top three leaders, in the company of the presidents of America and China. Proud of his Indian heritage he has not missed an opportunity to present its diverse Indian culture at forums and specifically as host of the G20. At this multilateral jamboree, India ensured that various sessions were held in different parts of the nation with the intent of presenting both geographies, culture and diversity to international guests. Finally, Mr Modi has displayed an image of compassion ensuring that the distribution of subsidies takes place efficiently. Government schemes now put money quickly and directly into the bank accounts of families, and entitlements are delivered effectively to those for whom they are intended.</p><p>The opposition, on the other hand, has failed to define itself along the lines of an ideology, but rather attempted to do so vis-a-vis the BJP. These definitions are negative and do not convey a robust message. For instance, the Congress party slogans that contain personal attacks on the prime minster have failed to work. Adani, for instance, cannot become the basis of a political narrative as voters simply do not care. This was a stupid strategy. Where the BJP is yet to spread its wings has been amongst Indian Muslims. Now an effort to reach out to the Pasmanda community is gaining traction. This is on the basis that welfare and socio-economic justice overrides identity issues. The strategy appears to be working. The emerging pattern of Muslim voting in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh indicate a turning point in the BJP’s relations with India’s largest minority community. The Pasmandas constitute a sizeable fraction of India’s Muslim population. Over the coming years, if they change their voting patterns, the BJP’s future electoral successes will only grow more robust.</p>
