After completing the five state elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The B.J.P. is confident about maintaining its stronghold in the Hindi belt, and the Opposition has failed to challenge them effectively. B.J.P. won elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh comfortably in November polls.
The B.J.P. has become a major political force in India. The Party has broadened its reach and currently holds power in 18 states. This is due to its firm leadership, well-organized structure, vast resources, and effective communication. Furthermore, there has been a significant shift to the right in Indian politics. There is a substantial gap between the popularity rating of Narendra Modi and other opposition leaders. The Party’s new slogan is “New Momentum, New Pledge.”
In the past ten years, Narendra Modi has effectively promoted the core concept of Hindu nationalism of the B.J.P. The Party has implemented welfare schemes such as cash transfers, free rations, and affordable gas cylinders to win voters. Another crucial idea, the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, is planned for January of next year. Despite facing challenges such as high unemployment, inflation, and price hikes, these schemes remain popular among the masses. The BJP is pitching for the third term for the Party based on these.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.) faces problems in Southern states and the party may adopt new strategies beyond relying solely on Modi’s charisma to win elections in these states.. The party is trying to address internal disagreements within the Party.
However, they need to create a new narrative that resonates with voters in the southern states. The current ideologies of Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma are not appealing to the people in these states, who view the B.J.P. as a party that caters to North India.
Unlike other political parties, Dravidian parties have promoted social justice for decades. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been talking about the Dravidian administration model. The southern region holds 131 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. Kerala has many Communist supporters, Tamil Nadu is predominantly atheistic, and the B.J.P. has some base in Karnataka. However, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have regional parties, limiting the B.J.P.’s support in these states.
The Opposition group I.N.D.I.A. is dismayed with Congress’s poor performance in the recent polls. Rahul Gandhi might have succeeded if the Grand Old Party had won in at least two northern Indian states. Congress must opt for a new poll strategy before the next elections.
Opposition parties must unite to prevent the division of non-BJP votes in the next four months to challenge Modi. As a first step, they should agree to field a single candidate in seats where the B.J.P. is the primary contender. The Congress party should focus on winning constituencies with a higher chance of success. It’s essential to prioritize defeating the ruling Party over personal agendas and egos.
Congress needs to update its leadership and leave behind old practices. Trinamool Congress criticized Congress’s poor performance and said that B.J.P.’s victory resulted from Congress’s failure. Congress lost the elections due to internal conflicts, weak alliances, and a lack of understanding of the current political climate. To improve, Congress must recruit competent individuals for the appropriate roles and motivate its supporters.
Rahul Gandhi led the 4,000-kilometer Bharat Jodo Yatra to revive the Congress Party. This helped the Party win significantly in Karnataka and Telangana. However, the Yatra’s momentum was mainly limited to South India and had no impact in the North.
The Opposition needs more money to compete with the B.J.P. The saffron Party uses its funds to keep its campaign in top gear. . B.J.P. received ₹10,122.03 crore donations in the previous five years compared to Congress’ ₹1,547.43 crores. Corporate contributions to Congress have decreased while the B.J.P.s have increased.
According to recent reports, the Congress is considering crowdfunding to finance its election campaigns due to lack of funds. It needs vast funds to match with the B.J.P.’s war chest.
In the last 20 years, the expenditure on Lok Sabha elections of BJP has increased six times, from Rs 9,000 55,000 crore in last Lok Sabha polls.. A third of the expenses are allocated for campaign and publicity. In contrast, the second largest expense is direct payment to voters. There are many ways the voters get bribed. BJP has a big advantage over the Congress in terms of both funds and organization backed by the RSS.
Simply put, B.J.P. needs to develop a fresh strategy for the South, while Congress should focus on the North. As for regional parties, their priority should be to keep their loyal voter base. Moreover, merely offering freebies is not always enough to win voters. It is essential to do more to earn their trust and support.
India’s democratic journey is a big achievement with hardly any precedent. The democracy has survived despite its faults, and the power has been transferred 17 times. Ultimately, it is the billion voters who will decide the shape of the government at the centre after 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (IPA Service)
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