BJP backs Modi

AMEETING of the prime minister, the BJP president, some senior ministers, and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states on Tuesday discussed the possible contours of the party’s campaign for 2019.

First, it was decided at the meeting that the BJP and the larger National Democratic Alliance, of which the party is a part, will fight 2019 under the leadership of Narendra Modi. This shouldn’t surprise anyone but it is a reflection of Modi’s standing and stature, and also a rebuttal of any suggestion that there could be an alternative.

Second, the PM and the CMs also discussed the measures the government has taken to address the angst of key voter groups – farmers; people from the scheduled castes and tribes; and people from other backward classes. It is clear that the party will try and reach these constituencies with the message that it did something for them, just as it will try and highlight this government’s welfare programmes, including its flagship health insurance scheme that is to be launched next month (these too were discussed at the meeting).

Also discussed were the upcoming elections in three key states currently ruled by the BJP: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

The Opposition, which is hoping to put up a united front in 2019, needs to work on three dimensions. The first concerns leadership.

The second concerns the messaging. A campaign focusing on the shortcomings of the incumbent will work (as it did in 2014), but only if the latter is incapable of shaping an alternative narrative. The opposition would therefore do well to develop a message around what it will do to address specific issues if it comes to power.

The third is having the resources to launch a campaign as intense as the BJP’s.