Tremors of AAP’s victory in Delhi could be felt among BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh who now realize that Modi wave is on the wane and time has come for them to connect with the masses. “AAP’s result is shocking for BJP. No one expected such a rout in Delhi where just a few months back party had swept lok Sabha polls. It is a learning curve for all of us. We will have to revisit our strategy to ensure party has base in each village and ward of the state,” BJP president laxmikant Bajpai said.
BJP leaders went into a huddle for a meeting to evaluate impact of BJP’s defeat on Uttar Pradesh. The discussions were not in much detail as the meeting was unscheduled and there was no structured agenda. The party leaders were hopeful that BJP would emerge as a biggest party despite exit polls predicting otherwise. But results came as a complete surprise for the party.
“The result was unexpected. But we respect people’s verdict. Winning and losing are two sides of the same coin. Party’s Delhi unit will hold a meeting to review reasons of defeat,” BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said. The concern in the voice of BJP leaders was evident. Post lok Sabha results, when BJP with its ally Apna Dal swept Uttar Pradesh winning 73 out of 80 seats, there was hope that BJP would find its footings in this politically sensitive state.
But last eight months have been disastrous for the party. BJP lost 11 assembly seats in bye-elections out of 12 which went to polls after lok Sabha polls. Elections were necessitated in these constituencies because sitting BJP legislators were elected to lok Sabha. Party lost all these seats barring lucknow east.
Party suffered another set back when it lost Cantonment Board elections in lucknow, Agra and Kanpur. The party even suffered a set back in Council elections when party failed to get its second candidate elected. The RlD, BSP and Congress combine helped BJP bite the dust. In this scenario the Delhi result comes as a warning for the party. The issues like Ghar wapsi and love jehad that have flared up communal atmosphere of the state are no longer a vote catcher. Party leadership knows that and therefore party’s state unit has asked workers to connect with masses.