The results of both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir assemblies have far reaching implications, more than what is apparent. One can dismiss them or write them off as a close win for BJP in Haryana for a historic third term and claim that Islamist radicals will never change their spots. But that will be hurried and lazy analysis.
My big salutes to Haryanavis who have proven that they are not just a stratified society living and breathing caste. They have thrown away the yoke of casteism put around their neck by Congress ecosystem. Haryana can no more be branded as big bad masculine Jat land. Its citizens have not voted en-bloc for any party (except, understandably, Muslims). Their votes are spread among two parties. They have given up on casteist family parties and decimated them.
Haryana voter has proven that he/she is not swayed negative propaganda – be it be farmer issue, or Agniveer issue, or women’s honour, or Scheduled Caste brethren’s rights. The disdain for its own tallest Dalit leader told the people that the call for social justice is just a political propaganda. Rahul Gandhi’s attempts to keep repeating falsehoods have exhausted themselves. The fake narrative of ‘reservations will be withdrawn’, there no development, and ‘Samvidhan khatre mein hai’ fell flat. This should teach a lesson to all the divisive hate mongers that Bharatiya citizens are tired of this negativity in the face of what they see in reality around them. So, opposition better find genuine causes and offer better solutions if they wish to survive in healthy manner.
Post June 2024 general election results, I had written that Congress has reached its maximum vote catching ability. They got nearly 95 per cent Muslim votes, they got misguided SC-ST votes (BJP lost nearly 9 per cent of these votes) due to fake news about BJP trying to end reservations, and OBC votes courtesy other casteist parties. From where could they get more votes? On the other hand, BJP just had to convince the voters that this was all fake propaganda, and show that they have done more for the deprived sections than any other party. And secondly, they had to persuade people to come out and vote. Apparently, people did not buy the venomous divisive caste propaganda of Rahul Gandhi and the high voting percentage proved that they were convinced by BJP volunteers to come out and vote.
I had written immediately after the Lok Sabha results that midlevel BJP leadership did not work on the ground, that the new age post 2014 volunteer has no clue how the ground work is done as they have seen only victory and enjoyed life under the huge persona of Modi ji, sharing selfies; but did not take his message to the people on the street, believing Social Media activism is all that is required. They did not feel the need to go to voters to come out and vote.
Never in the history of Jammu Kashmir, have we seen such a festive mood of the society at large, free and fair elections in every sense without the shadow of guns. Atal ji, a BJP PM, did succeed in conducting the first non-rigged election but it was under old regime of Article 370. This time another BJP PM not only nullified Article 370, but also managed to control the situation so well that an election could be held in such an open atmosphere. Remember that Supreme Court enforced the election as if J&K issue was just a Constitutional issue and not a serious political issue with international implication as Pakistan was instigating from the side lines, salivating at a chance of a big disruption. Hats off to Modi ji and Amit Shah ji for steering through the difficult terrain and managing a historic election. Having tasted true democracy, I am sure Jammu and Kashmir citizens will never want to go back to old style feudal politics. Defeat of Iltija Mufti sends a clear signal. Yes, valley is highly radicalised place with years of indoctrination by Islamist Maulvis and cynical politicians. It is just a matter of time that the new generation rises.
Congress has become a Muslim party for Hindus. In Jammu not one Hindu majority seat was won by Congress though admittedly pro-Muslim and pro-Pakistan National Conference did win one seat in Hindu majority seat with some smart tricks. Congress has gained Muslim trust but lost Hindus’, because it is treating their matters of faith and their religiosity with contempt.
It seems we have come full circle very fast. Within months, the negative narrative, fake propaganda and a limited success in 2024 has been rejected. People have gone beyond caste and understood what is at stake. They have voted for development yet again. The continuous baiting of majority community has brought them together, as if they are saying enough is enough. While BJP has got its mojo back, Congress leadership will need to go back to drawing board and get over it hate mongering and divisive agenda. It will need to go back to traditional Congress leaders and get rid of JNU groupies around Rahul Gandhi. If BJP keeps its cool, not lulled into comfort zone, and keeps dialogue channels open with its workers, the next assembly elections will make it unbeatable again. Unless Congress drops its present aggressive negative stance, it can only go down from here. I feel very positive about future of Bharat.
