Why Anti-Incumbency Is A Luxury That The BJP Cannot Afford

The massive victory of the BJP in Gujarat is really worth the euphoria that it generates. At the same time the victory of Congress in Himachal Pradesh is a warning sign. Equally worrying is the Khatauli by-poll upset.

The BJP is a party that wins because of Hindu consolidation and Hindu Sangathan. The victory of the Congress in Himachal and of SP-RLD alliance in Khatauli of Uttar Pradesh show that Hindu consolidation has a long way to go.

Swarajya analysis of this result points out an important factor:

It is not hard to see that many politicians can still divide Hindu society on caste and make it vote along caste lines only. More dangerously although, they can make Hindu communities align with Islamist political forces.

The Indian National Congress (INC) under Sonia Gandhi has constantly worked to prevent Hindu political-organisation. In fact, in recent years, the Congress seems to have promoted more than a few leaders who stand accused of Hinduphobia.

From expressing the wish to destroy Sanatana Dharma to public butchering of a calf, the new Congress has given its tacit approval to all.

In such a context and given the recent record of the Congress, many are worried that Himachal Pradesh would now be back on radar of missionaries.

While Congress and its associated media ecosystem have been successful in projecting the image of the BJP as being anti-minority, the BJP and Sangh Parivar have not been able to take the acts and beliefs of the new Congress to the masses.

So, the BJP, wherever in power, has to offer the most credible administration to ward off anti-incumbency. A voter may or may not be aware of the civilisational consequences of his or her vote. He or she may see anti-incumbency and the major opposition as the democratic alternative.

But the BJP should realise that they cannot afford to be a normal party; they are the last hope of a civilisation.

Anti-incumbency is not a luxury the BJP can afford.