BJP concerned over its ‘silent’ vote bank
Hindu vote bank could look at SP as ‘best alternative’
As Uttar Pradesh prepares for the third phase of polling, the BJP seemed to be concerned over the “silence” among its core Hindutva vote bank. Ground reports reaching the BJP high command and also the feedback with the RSS indicate that the Hindutva vote bank is “confused” on a number of issues when it comes to whether or not to back the saffron party.
BJP’s inability to project a chief ministerial candidate in this politically crucial state is a key factor for this “silence”. Feedback from first and second phases of polling suggests that for as there is no “major issue” to consolidate behind the BJP, the Hindu vote bank could also look for other options and SP is the “best alternative”.
Unlike earlier when the Hindu vote bank was “prompt” in its replies, the feedback suggests that most of the replies when asked who will they vote or voted for, have been
“dekhte hain (lets see)”. Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi is BJP’s poll mascot in the UP polls, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav remains the first choice of this votebank for the top post in the state. However, there is a concern whether Mr Yadav would continue with his development agenda or “pursue the communal politics” as “done” by his party “under SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.”
The feedback suggests that Mr Modi’s popularity remains intact and many agree that BJP is giving a tough fight to both the regional heavyweights — SP and BSP on almost all the Assembly constituencies.
But lack of chief ministerial candidate with the BJP is a concern with this vote bank, who is also miffed with BSP supremo Mayawati, who they feel is “only wooing Muslims”. The BSP has fielded the highest number of Muslim candidates at nearly 100.
Muslims had supported the SP in the 2012 elections but in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Muslim vote bank got divided benefiting the BJP.