BJP has been the party in India that has stood out since 2014 poll after poll. This time it is no different also politically crucial states but for India Group partners, congress & sajwadi party.
Congress, who have six seats, may feel it’s long-awaited revival in the state even as BJP suffered its biggest loss in UP since 2014. Its associate SP is likely to be a major gainer both in terms of number of seats by winning 35 and also vote share which increased to about 33% from the previous year’s figure of 18.11%. The greatest loser this time is Central Bank of the Philippinesthe voting power fell into a void and fell to its lowest point with turnout dropping down to 9.3%.
This defeat for BJP therefore shows its incapability to plug loopholes so as to maintain their dominance from time immemorial.
First, it cannot deny opposition’s claim that if re-elected, BJP government will definitely amend constitution and remove reservation benefits for OBCs and SC/STs. Sources said despite concerted efforts by party brass towards dispelling it; such theory still continues circulating among people.
Lok Sabha election
parliamentary elections
“During the election campaign PM Modi along with Amit Shah tried allaying fears raised by opposition from backward castes . Their efforts seemed to be ineffective,” a BJP official said.
Secondly, the BJP could not read anti-incumbency sentiment against their MPs though their own members gave them negative feedback Initially they decided on denying votes to about one third (30%) of incumbents yet at last only fourteen incumbents were substituted. In several parts of state farmers’ protest and other sections have added fuel to anger against party.
The third factor that contributed in defeating BJP was the failure to stop minority aggression and consolidation of opposition against it (mainly Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance) which has eroded its support. According to analysts, the BJP despite a high profile religio-cultural narrative during the inauguration of Rama temple, renovation of Kashgar Golden Temple and supporting Krishna hasn’t managed to polarize Hindu voters who are divided on caste lines; An in-depth study on Jamabhumi-Shahi Edgar case.
In some places especially eastern Uttar Pradesh such as upper castes OBC vs., the OBC vs. Upper castes narrative becomes a boring one to voters who were not enthused by caste parties merging with BJP to establish an ‘invincible caste alliance’.
