RS polls: BJP’s election-ready mode yields gains again, can Oppn gets its act together

In the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet again pulled off more seats than expected and played party pooper for the Congress in 2 states Haryana and Maharashtra.

Kartikeya Sharma, the BJP backed independent candidate upset Congress applecart in Haryana by ‘first losing, then winning’ the hard-fought poll against Ajay Maken by very small margins.

In Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis led BJP dealt a body blow to the Mahavikas Aghadi Alliance (MVA) as it succeeded in mobilsing the smaller parties & Independents which would have otherwise voted for Thackeray-led alliance. The shock defeat of Sena’s second candidate even prompted Sharad Pawar to heap praise on Fadnavis’ ‘magical’ poll strategy.

BJP’s rivals must introspect and analyse as to why the saffron party remains a hit machine despite them ganging up against it and launching open front against its alleged communal politics.

The answer lies in BJP’s battle-ready mode and also the constant readiness in its rank & file to take on any political challenge. Be it panchayat or Municipal elections or Parliamentary polls, the cadre take the poll fight with utmost zeal. It’s approach has remained the same since 2014. Except TMC in Bengal & AAP in Delhi, no party has matched up with its well-oiled election machinery. Moreover, the party has been successful in disseminating narratives, impressing upon people about welfare schemes and also its cadres overdrive to woo voters.

The RS poll defeat in Maharashtra was so worrisome for the MVA as its motormouth spokesperson Sanjay Raut got a poll scare while NCP chief Sharad Pawar came out heaping praises on ex BJP CM Devendra Fadnavis. The defeat of Sena candidate Sanjay Pawar, at the hands of BJP, prompted Raut to allege that misuse of agencies by BJP govt made it possible. His frustration showed up as he said, “give me ED and we will make Fadnavis vote for MVA.”

The defeat of Sena candidate raised murmurs within the MVA about Sena’s weak election strategy in comparison to BJP’s meticulous planning. Moreover, the effusive praise of BJP’s magic by Sharad Pawar also triggered speculations of NCP warming up to the saffron party.

NCP president Sharad Pawar said, “Fadnavis performed a miracle by getting the smaller parties and Independents to support his party.”

Pawar’s praise created a political flutter in Maharashtra’s political circles and also set off speculation that the NCP was leaning towards the BJP. Some are also asking whether it was a message to the CM Uddhav Thackeray, however, NCP leadres brushed aside it as mere speculations.

It may be noted that the BJP had joined hands with NCP’s Ajit Pawar to form government in 2019 as no party had clear majority in the Assembly polls. Though, the alliance fell out soon and Sena-Cong & NCP stitched alliance to form MVA govt.