Traditionally, the BJP has not been above invoking Hindu religious symbols in its mass campaigns and electioneering. But, on the whole, the party has steered clear of playing the caste card as it believes that such divisions leave Hindus disunited (making it harder to turn them into a sustainable political unit which can take on other religious groups, though this is not explicated).
The party’s Lok Sabha campaign this time round, under the stewardship of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for whom a US presidential-style blitzkrieg was visualised, was overtly meant to plug the “development” line to showcase Mr Modi’s “vision”, especially for the youth, and his record as CM — the two together projecting a modernist version of BJP whose appeal was intended to go beyond the party’s traditional constituency, mainly of upper caste Hindus and the urban middle class.
In the last lap of the poll campaign, the BJP leader has changed the on-field tactics that was set for him. Campaigning in eastern Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, he twisted a remark of Priyanka Gandhi that he was practising “neech rajniti”, or “low-grade politics”, to allege that he was being targeted because he was from a caste low down in the hierarchy. This drew wide media attention as it was breaking the BJP’s initial campaign model with which to wow the country.
Leaving the “development” plank far behind, Mr Modi has by now tried the religion and the caste cards, besides repeatedly berating the Election Commission. This is new for a PM-aspirant.
