State Elections: Watershed or Predictable?

With elections announced for state assemblies in Assam, Bengal and South, the election fever is bound to reach high temperatures in the summer of 2021.

The BJP which didn’t even dare to hold election rallies in these states not so long ago, is aiming to retain power in Assam and form the first right wing government in Bengal and not to forget Tamilnadu Puducherry and Kerala where they aim to make their presence felt.

For the party which let its partner Mamatha and Amma call shots in Vajpayee coalition for the state, the change is significant as one is now the biggest rival and other’s followers are looking for persona of Modi to come to rescue to retain power. 

All these states, for years since independence had silent unnamed RSS workers who relentlessly worked on the ground to make a base for the BJP. The Congress on the other hand remained in illusion of invincibility to let the power slip to Left in Bengal,accepted alternate 5 year term in Kerala and  pushed its own disciples in Assam relegating the second rung leadership to move to BJP.

The opponents, the media and the Power circles of 10, Janpath underestimated the ambitions of BJP and the ground reality of voters shifting the base to saffron party.

The shift is not a miracle. It’s something what Vajpayee predicted and Advani perceived. The duo slowly but steadily ensured to come out of the so called untouchable party tag. 

2014 to 2021 has been an amazing juggernaut of Modi ably driven by his trusted Sarthi Amit Shah. The thought process is very clear. Do whatever it takes to win. Work on your strongholds, be open to pamper turncoat ambitions, not to bog down for lack of local face and fight elections in the name of Mascot Modi. 

Mamata who single handedly mesmerised Bengal to dismantle Left is getting jitters in her own bastion .This is going to be her biggest fight for survival and probably will change the course of Bengal politics.

With Gogoi gone, Hemant Biswa on its side, Sonowal faring satisfactorily, Assam could be a safe bet for BJP.

Kerala, Puducherry is more to do with Congress than BJP. Even a small gain is significant for the future of Saffron party.

Amma’s disciples or Kalaignar offspring in Tamilnadu whosoever wins, BJP shall remain content for now to have a say in state Politics.

This is going to a tough test for the Congress. If it survives this battle,it’s partners fare better than the rest, then only the GOP has hope to remain relevant as a principal opposition party in national politics.

For the BJP, it’s all the way gains as it’s aiming the territories which were alien to them since the party’s inception.

Whatever are the results, 2nd May 2021 is going to be a watershed day in the history of Indian Politics.

Image Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Disclaimer: The article does not aim to propagate any political party and is a mere observation of an avid follower of the current state of politics.