Bhupendra Gandhi laments poor show by BJP’s in Bihar elections. Losing election is disappointing, wide margin is heartrending. I believe that Modiji and BJP indulged in over confidence to expect repetition of 2014 National elections. Under such euphoria , they fell prey to psuedo-secular, communal, caste and beef imbroglio. Thus pro-Laloo-(Yadavs), pro-Nitish-(Koormis) and all Muslims-swayed by Dadri murder-voted for grand alliance.
RSS did not organize door to door campaign to garner votes, leaving Modiji and Amit Shah to their charisma and resources, to face treachery by grand alliance. Low turnout is not new to India’s electorate and should have been included in campaign mathematics. Hindu fanatic godmen and leaders knew very well that Bihar has about 40% Muslim population. Yet they boldly uttered anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan statements which hurt BJP. This was aggravated by prolonged silence by P.M. on murders of writers, returning of Awards, communal murders and beef politics. Grand alliance took maximum advantage of this silence.
BJP must take urgent steps to see that this is not replicated in Gujarat-(2017) elections, and National-(2019) elections. Energies of RSS, old BJP members and Muslims must be harnessed to win future elections.
Ramesh Jhalla
Via email
