Karnataka’s clear vote against incumbency also contributed to BJP’s defeat
New Delhi:
Smarting from the humiliating result in Karnataka, but ready to turn the loss into an opportunity, the BJP has begun to analyze what went wrong in the only southern state where it was in power.
BJP sources have blamed the Karnataka defeat on the government’s ‘image’ and allegations of corruption, which they consider stuck. Despite an aggressive campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, it was difficult to get rid of the corruption charge.
Associating “Bajrang Bali” with Bajrang Dal proved to be an unwise move. BJP sources said raising the issue seems to have only brought votes from the minority community in favor of the Congress.
While the BJP remained consistent with its vote share, the decrease in the vote share of the regional party Janata Dal (Secular) came as a boost for the Congress in the old Mysuru region.
Karnataka’s clear vote against incumbency also contributed to the BJP’s defeat, but what has hurt the party the most is the “Lingayat defection”.
Many loyalists of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, who fought either as independents or on Congress tickets, have defeated BJP candidates.
The BJP has already started preparations for the important big states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where assembly elections are due this year.
BJP’s social media team chief Amit Malviya held strategy meetings in Jaipur and Raipur and will leave for Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal this week. Sources said the revamp of the team and a communication plan for the next six months have been drawn up.
With 20 years of anti-incumbency, Madhya Pradesh will be a challenge for the BJP. Sources say that in Rajasthan, however, the infighting in the Congress has prepared the ground for the BJP to return to power.
In all the three states where elections are to be held this year, there is a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress.