The mixed legacy of Kalyan Singh

The politics of Hindutva has succeeded when Hindu political mobilisation has acquired social depth. This is the primary factor behind Narendra Modi’s electoral success in the past seven years — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s ideological worldview has gained traction among all Hindu castes, in varying degrees. But before him, even as AB Vajpayee was the BJP’s most popular face and LK Advani was its most formidable organiser, there was Kalyan Singh who succeeded in using the same formula.

Singh, from the Lodh community, an Other Backward Class sub-group, combined his social roots with his commitment to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worldview. And it was this combination that enabled the BJP to come to power for the first time in Uttar Pradesh (UP) under his leadership. It also helped expand support for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. As chief minister (CM), he tackled various syndicates. But this was tarnished by the Babri Masjid demolition — a criminal act, as per the same Supreme Court verdict that enabled the construction of the Ram Temple. Singh was CM in 1992.

For a range of reasons — including the traditional upper caste orientation of the party, Singh’s errors, and his difficult relationship with Vajpayee — Singh failed to retain his political power. He flirted with the Samajwadi Party but returned home to the BJP. The BJP’s tributes to Singh are a recognition of his role in expanding Hindutva’s appeal, and an attempt to ensure that his support base stays with it in the UP elections next year.