BJP & AAP brace for fierce poll fight in Gujarat & HP but Congress has the most to lose

Though months ahead, politicking has started heating up in Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh, the next destination of India’s election jamboree. Riding high on poll victories in recently concluded Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have already ramped up their election machinery for mobilising mass support and preparing the ground for mega poll blitzkrieg by central leaders in coming months.

AAP snatched Punjab from Congress, forming its second government outside Delhi while BJP retained its hold in 4 states despite strong anti-incumbency. Congress had high hopes from the charged up campaign under Priyanka Gandhi & also from its turnaround performance in 2021 by-polls but failed miserably in 2022 Assembly elections.

AAP and BJP, their battle-ready mode credited for good show, have already started building momentum while Congress looks lethargic & laggard as ever. In Himachal Pradesh, BJP gave a blow to AAP as its state unit chief joined the saffron party following which the newbie party dissolved the whole unit. Reports suggest that Kejriwal-led party is all set to infuse fresh blood & energy in its campaign by pushing a young brigade and challenging BJP on its party president’s turf. Anticipating a potential challenge from rival AAP & wave of anti-incumbency, the saffron party has already started public connect programmes & campaigns for winning people’s trust. Reports suggest that it is also aiming for a generational shift in the party by bringing in fresh leadership and ‘resting’ senior ones.

However, incumbent CM Jairam Thakur remains the top choice for party as JP Nadda dismissed speculations of leadership change in the state. To counter anti-incumbency, Jairam Thakur also announced sops & benefits for people like waiving 50% transport fee for women, free electricity & water in rural areas.

Gujarat remains crucial to BJP’s election plan. The ruling party will attempt to hold power in the state on its own for 7th consecutive term. Gujarat BJP-in-charge Bhupendra Yadav is holding regular parleys & party president JP Nadda is also set to visit state in a couple of days. The change of guard from Vijay Rupani to Bhupendra Patel was a step in this direction. In 2017 elections, Congress did manage to get a groundswell support but eventually lost out due to its last minute goof-ups by its leaders and BJP swooping down on it for the final punch.

In both states, Congress was a force to reckon with. In Himachal, the power alternated between BJP & grand old party while in Gujarat, the latter enjoyed clout before Narendra Modi became CM. But, with the entry of AAP, the plot has become complicated as equations have changed. Arvind Kejriwal has upped the game and his party is making waves in both the states.

Moreover, its recent Punjab victory has emboldened its poll prospects. And, it is making a point to corner the BJP in its own game. It’s claims that Himachal CM followed Delhi’s footsteps in giving free water & power and Gujarat BJP is mulling early elections fearing AAP wave has indeed become a talking point in political circles as well as on the ground.