BJP: Directionless?

The 15^th Lok Sabha election turned out to be a major political game changer. Within an hour of counting it was clear that Congress was on its way to become the single largest party. Compared to 204 seats of Congress, BJP was able to manage a paltry 116. In fact, as compared to 2004, it also witnessed a dip in national vote share by almost 5%.

BJPs whipping comes as a surprise, as they had a plethora of issues to campaign against the ruling government. Instead of hand picking the important issues, they opted for a negative blanket campaign. Venomous remarks by frontline leaders such as Varun Gandhi further tarnished the party’s image.

An important aspect which BJP did not give due importance was the circumstances under which the elections took place. Global financial crisis, terror attacks, insurgency in neighboring countries only meant that the voters were looking for – Stability.

“Aam Aadmi” (Common Man) wants a stable government which would ensure him job and safety in the future. Unfortunately, BJPs mandate was based on the past. They decided to raise the decade old issue of Ram Janmabhoomi movement. This movement has been a landmark for them, as it was instrumental in their 1999 Lok Sabha victory. But BJP totally overlooked the need of the hour. Destroying a mosque and constructing a temple at the same spot hardly holds any importance to today’s “Aam Aadmi”. The age old strategy of communal politics in order to polarize the electorate, unfortunately didn’t work for them.

Less importance to economic growth and lack of direction in the party, is ensuring BJPs loss of popularity among the youth as well as the urban middle class. These two segments were the main vote banks for the BJP since 1998. To regain its lost glory, BJP will have to reconnect with the two segments and devise a winning strategy.

As the Vajpayee and Advani era comes to an end, BJP will have to look for a new leader. The party will have to reorient itself so as to advocate reform and globalization. The party will have to discard the past and embrace the future.