Brij Bhardwaj
Time has come to set the stage for polls in 2024 with dates for crucial Karnataka Assembly announced. Elections in the State of Karnataka are important as they will indicate if the push in South by ruling BJP will get a new momentum or not. As for Congress, they will indicate if downward decline is continuing or it has gained new strength after Bharat Jodo Yatra and disqualification of Rahul Gandhi membership of Lok Sabha.
Next 40 days will see BJP election machinery rolling out in full strength in Karnataka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the campaign assisted by Home Minister Amit Shah. No one can match BJP, which has made election winning into a part of their DNA. The machine never rests, as soon as one election is over it starts working for the next. The battle lines are clearly drawn .BJP has made sure that its vote bank remains intact and for that reason they have changed the reservation policy.
The reservation for Muslims has now been distributed among Lingayats and Vokalinga As BJP does not expect Muslims to vote for it, It has also promised new laws to deal with Love jihad and taken a tough stand on issue of Hijab. In addition, it will be promising Double engine ki Sarkar with both Center and State working for progress of State. It has also made sure by cultivating former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa by agreeing to give his son a ticket in assembly elections and a senior position in case BJP is voted to power. As a result unlike in previous poll there will be no dissidents in BJP camp this time.
Its short comings are indifferent performance by State Government and charges of corruption-.BJP hopes to overcome the same with popularity of Prime Minister who enjoys very high rating of acceptability even after having been in top position for two terms and seeking a third term, and its ability to pour in lot of resources in the election campaign.
BJP did very well in poll for Lok Sabha, but underperformed in Assembly elections. The result was Janata Dal led by Dev Gowda became kingmaker. They have aligned with BJP as well as Congress party at different times. How will they perform this time may decide if Congress or BJP will get majority on its own. Reports are that Janata Dal has weakened and may get fewer seats in Assembly as compared to last election.
In the current tussle Congress is counting on incumbency and charges of corruption against the State Government in Karnataka. They also feel that Bharat Jodo Yatra and disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha may also work in their favour .Claims of getting a majority on their own are being made by both sides, but observers feel it will be a close race.
The BJP campaign started with visits to State by Prime Minister who inaugurated a series of big projects indicating what they propose to do if voted to power. Congress in its manifesto has promised number of freebies for unemployed, women and vulnerable sections. Karnataka Assembly poll is expected to give an indication of national mood after one witnessed complete wash out of budget session of Parliament.
One also witnessed during this period polarisation between ruling party and opposition parties. While BJP claimed that opposition parties do not want central agencies to investigate charges of corruption, the opposition Parties accused the Government of using central agencies of targeting opposition leaders. Which particular version is acceptable to public at large? After all ballot alone is the final test in democracy.
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