THE YOGI GAMBIT

Some would call it a bodyblow to secular politics of the country, others would assert it as the demand of democracy. The anointment of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of India’s largest state has shocked millions. It has upset the sage predictions of political pundits, who had earlier reeled names of various favourites for the top post. Yogi’s appointment is also being seen as a risky gambit by Modi, whose penchant for wagering political bets is ever increasing.

The fear of saffronization of politics has again cast its ominous shadow on the body politic. It may well act as a catalyst, a rallying point for diverse and dispersed political parties to huddle together in a umbrella front against the BJP. This may augur well for opposition unity, who are yet to cast aside petty issues to hammer a common united front.

Seen from the point of view of Modi, Mahant’s appointment is an tribute, a homage, to the RSS, the mother font of all primal ideological ideas that feed the BJP. It is a reminder to the core constituency of BJP that the party has not lost its way in its bid of modernization. That the agenda of economic growth in no way detracts from the ancient injunctions of the Sangh.

The crowning of Yogi is also an calculated effort to keep the flame of Hindutva steadily burning amdist all the brouhaha of development, so to speak. It can be banked upon to be cashed during the 2019 hustings.

All this is sure to endear Modi to the Pasha’s of RSS, and their goodwill will surely come handy to Modi in times of need.

Holding the Hindutva flag aloft , along with the New India mantra, way well bring some extra votes in the upcoming Gujarat,Chattisgarh and Delhi MCD elections.

The subtext of Hindutva was there all along during the last phase of  Modi’s campaigning. All that talk about graveyards, differential electricity supply during religious festivals is suddenly making sense. Fighting the UP elections without giving a single ticket to the Muslims now can be fully understood.A lead up to the consecration of the Yogi as the ruler of Uttar Pradesh.

MISSION DELHI MCD

With MCD hustings round the corner, parties have started to streamline their election activities. Candidates have begun to cast their hawk eyes on the ticket of their respective parties. Hushed tone parleys have given way to boisterous wrangling and lobbying for ticket.The Congress and BJP offices are bustling with activity. It’s going to be a triangular fight this summer. Congress,BJP and Swaraj Party have girdled their loins. Strategies have been chalked out and battlelines drawn.

BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwary has novel plans to field the candidates. New faces will be fielded he asserts. This is creating heartburn for senior party functionaries and prospective older candidates.

It’s a ten year rule that is at stake for BJP at the city’s civic elections. So the gambit is being viewed with trepidation.

Congress on the other hand is trying to hold strong to the Punjab victory. Sources hold that Congress is going to field Capt. Amrender Singh to lead the election campaign. It’s a do or die situation for Congress and a tried and tested hero from the Punjab battlefield is but a natural choice for the embattled party.

Aam Aadmi Party naturally has thrown its hat in the ring and its bitter foe Swaraj India Party is also in the election ring. 

Fifty percent seats are reserved for women in the three civic bodies. Thus seat allocation is going to be an interesting exercise in intra party management too.