The Congress and the BJP are gearing up to contest in the upcoming crucial elections in the Hindi belt states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which may have significant implications for the central government.
The BJP’s strategy is centered on Prime Minister Modi’s appeal, with no clear chief ministerial candidates declared. Modi’s presence is prominent in their campaigns, emphasizing the idea of a “double-engine sarkaar.”
In Rajasthan, the BJP has disregarded calls for Vasundhara Raje to be the chief ministerial candidate, instead promoting the lotus symbol, indicating their commitment to Modi. In Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh and Vijay Baghel are seen as potential candidates, but Modi’s appeal remains pivotal. This strategy of pitting the Prime Minister against state leaders has become routine for the BJP since 2015.
In contrast, the Congress is adopting varying strategies in these states. In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Gehlot’s work and development schemes are the main focus, with the slogan “Kaam keeya dil se, Congress phir se” (We have worked from the heart, vote for Congress again). Gehlot’s proactive efforts in order to promote his work have enhanced the party’s outreach.
Madhya Pradesh presents a different picture, with Kamal Nath embracing a more Hindutva-friendly rhetoric, promising to develop the Ram Van Gaman Path and install statues of Hindu deities. In Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel is inaugurating a Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit, focusing on sites related to Ram and Sita’s exile. Even Gehlot in Rajasthan has made attempts to counter the BJP’s Hindutva policies but has kept politics in the name of Hindu gods out of his campaign.
The distinctive political arena of these states differ on their strategies. Meanwhile, the Congress needs to make sure it doesn’t depend on soft Hindutva to compete with the BJP. The Gehlot framework which highlights development and governance, provides a more substantial campaign strategy and irrespective of the election outcomes, the party must adopt this approach.
Communal politics have had some influence in Rajasthan but the lack of intensity of the Modi period and the BJP’s win without projecting Vasundhara Raje as a candidate could push the state further into a more hostile Hindutva direction.
The Gehlot framework gives a viable path for the Congress amid the landscape with limited opposition choices in the Hindi Belt.
Regardless of the election results in Rajasthan, the abandonment of this approach would be unwise because it provides a more substantial and inclusive campaign strategy than mere soft Hindutva discourse.
As per latest opinion poll, Congress party is likely to win in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh with majority of the seats. However, citizens take into consideration issues like poverty, corruption, healthcare, water supply and sanitation while voting their representatives.
