The BJP fought the Assembly elections on Modi charisma and won but it may have to rework its strategy in the South for 2024

BJP will go into 2024 polls with more aggression, renewed strength and confidence which will be laced and embedded in Modi Magic and center’s ten-year achievements but its southward journey has been stopped by Congress in Telangana though it has won 8 seats in the House 119. Eerier, BJP had to face defeat in Karnataka and the loss of its ally, AIADMK in Tamil Nadu had also put the saffron party in a dilemma.It was all the way Modi through collective leadership led by the PM did wonders for the BJP in these poll-bound states. A huge gamble and risk was taken by RSS and BJP's high command to make Modi as face of these assembly polls but it paid rich dividends.

It did help in generating the trust of voters who did not hesitate in reposing faith in his leadership though the situation would have been different had CM candidates been declared by BJP. Modi’s outreach to tribals also created history as they shifted their loyalty from Congress and supported Modi who promised to look after their welfare in future.

The caste census narrative of Congress was neutralized by PM who stressed the need to have faith in four castes viz. women, youth, farmers and the poor, such connotation worked to the hilt. PM’s focus on the Congress party’s image of corruption also neutralized the anti-incumbency factor in MP besides women voters’ overwhelming support of welfare schemes of the Shiv Raj Singh government.

Contrary to it, Hindutva's dose in Rajasthan bore the fruit which was compounded by the fielding of ministers and MPS who influenced surrounding assembly segments. It was true in MP also which is considered the factory of experimentation of Hindutva politics. The well-oiled machinery of RSS strengthened the killing spirit of BJP cadres in these poll states besides vast resources at BJP’s command.

 Last but not least, the poll management and strategy of Union Home Minister Amt Shah and party president, J.P.Nadda was successful in putting the rivals on the mat which matters a lot in winning the elections.

Bjp May Re-Work Its Strategy For South. While riding high on the extreme popularity of Modi coupled with the Ram Temple-led Hindutva campaign, the BJP may rework its poll game plan for the south to improve its performance in 2024.

According to national president, J.P.Nadda, BJP will focus on the new game plan to have allies in the south and people will vote for PM Modi owing to their faith in his guarantee to fulfil poll promises, unlike the opposition which believes in misguiding the voters to win elections. Nadda is confident about victory in 2024 as cracks have appeared in INDIA which happens to be the group of contradictions and satraps of inflated egos.Congress' defeat may be a good omen for INDIA The experts feel that Congress party's defeat in Madhya Pradesh and its’ failure to retain Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh may act as a blessing in disguise for the future of INDIAFirst, Congress's victory could have enhanced its’ bargaining power but defeat has snatched it from the grand old party.

Second, it will bring Congress to at equal playing level with other constituents of INDIA thereby neutralising any iota of arrogance and inflexibility.

Third, the jolt to Congress will act as an eye-opener to leaders like Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav etc. who may be forced to shed anti-Congress rhetoric and see reasoning in 2024 polls while agreeing to the seat-sharing formula in states like Delhi and Punjab (AAP)and West Bengal (TMC) and Samajwadi Party(UP)respectively.Fourth, the critics of Kejriwal and Mamata argue that both leaders may face corrupt cases and land in jail if Modi returns to power for the third time which may be the predominant reason for their desire to be part of the INDIA alliance.

Fifth, Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar was feeling alienated due to political maneuvering by Congress which was aiming at a pivotal role in the new INDIA Bloc. One cannot deny the fact that it was Nitish Kumar who had been responsible for bringing warring regional straps to one platform but hurdles were created in assigning him the important position of convener of INDIA. Now Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge has convened the meeting of INDIA to iron out differences and move forward with an eye on 2024. The biggest challenge INDIA faces relates to seat sharing and the finalisation of the common minimum programme. The glitches are huge and may require flexibility and a broad-minded spirit of ‘Give and Take’ to make the INDIA alliance a reality because it is still confined to paper only.

Congress was optimistic about metamorphosis in its fortune as it expected to retain Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and snatch power from the saffron party in Madhya Pradesh. Modi factor has dashed their hopes to the ground as BJP has performed exceedingly well in three states. But BJP proved an outside ring player in Telangana and it will have to console with an increase of its one-seat tally to 8.

The BJP and RSS will bank on the Modi factor and the centre’s ten-year performance to win in 2024 but there will be a dire need to formulate a new poll strategy for the South as dominance in Hindi states may not be sufficient. The scare of Modi’s return to power for 3rd successive time may contribute to this phenomenon.

(The writer is political analyst and senior journalist, views are personal)