How the Ambedkar controversy is a blessing in disguise for BJP

Amit Shah’s Ambedkar remark sparks chaos

The controversy surrounding Amit Shah’s edited statements on Ambedkar in Parliament has sparked heated debates, with the opposition leveraging it to polarize Scheduled Caste (SC) voters.

The fact that Amit Shah addressed a Press Conference and the PM personally rebutted the opposition claims with details, immediately after the controversy arose, shows that BJP understands the importance of addressing this issue quickly.

However, challenges often come with opportunities. BJP, with its history of strategic alliances and political adaptability, can use this moment not only to counter the opposition’s false narratives but also to secure a substantial percentage of SC votes across India.

NDA’s vote share across India broadly is such that every small incremental percentage in vote share is likely to translate into a disproportionately high increase in seats in many of the states and the centre.

The Importance of the SC Vote

Scheduled Castes make up a significant portion of India’s electorate. Historically, they have leaned towards parties like the Congress or regional outfits such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and more recently, Azad Samaj Party (ASP) which is antagonistic towards NDA.

Challenges often come with opportunities. BJP, with its history of strategic alliances and political adaptability, can use this moment not only to counter opposition narratives but also to secure a substantial share of SC votes across India, quickly too.

Recent shifts in voter preferences have created an opening for the BJP to consolidate support among SC voters. BJP’s targeted welfare schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat have already made inroads into the community. However, the divides within the Hindus based on castes affect the BJP as collateral damage.

To intensify SC support and break opposition narratives that have the potential to damage the BJP’s interests, the BJP needs a bold and transformative strategy.

Mayawati and BSP in NDA: A game-changing alliance

BSP, led by Mayawati, holds a unique place in SC politics. Once a formidable force in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, BSP’s influence has waned in recent years.

Her waning influence is because her vote share is significant but not enough to win seats, and this has drifted her voters towards other options. It will come back if she becomes a significant force in national and state politics.

The fact that she has not joined the I.N.D.I. Alliance, her past alliances with some of the upper castes, and her administration, when she was in power, have been much better than SP’s point towards NDA being her natural ally.

For Mayawati, aligning with the BJP-led NDA could offer a chance to renew her political career, for which she would be thankful to the BJP if the alliance is created intelligently.

For BJP, such an alliance would not only ensure a large share of SC votes and a much larger share of seats for NDA but also demonstrate its commitment to inclusive politics.

Why this alliance makes sense

1. Mutual Political Gains:
   • Mayawati regains political relevance and a platform to implement her vision.
   • BJP strengthens its social coalition and weakens the opposition’s caste-based strategies.
2. Addressing Opposition Narratives:
   • By bringing Mayawati into the NDA fold, the BJP can counter accusations of being anti-SCs. The alliance would symbolize a historic reconciliation between the Dalit movement and the larger nationalist platform.
3. Strategic Advantage in UP and Beyond:
   • Uttar Pradesh is a bellwether state for Indian politics. BJP-BSP alliance could sweep the state, giving BJP a decisive edge in the future state and central elections.
4. Aligning with the RSS Vision:
   • Recently, Mohan Bhagwat of the RSS, and PM Modi & Yogi Adityanath of BJP, have emphasized the need for uniting Hindus across India.
   • The BJP-BSP alliance would be a significant step in that direction, fostering unity and reconciliation between communities. BJP should ensure that this is not a temporary alliance but long-term, in its own and national interests.
5. Strengthening BJP’s Image in South India:
   • BJP’s presence in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, is perceived as weak, with the opposition branding it as anti-social-justice.
   • Encouraging Mayawati to expand BSP’s presence in Tamil Nadu and other southern states could help counter this narrative. It would also benefit BSP, BJP, and NDA as a whole. It will broaden NDA’s base in regions where its footprint is limited.

Challenges and Solutions

While this alliance offers immense potential, it is not without challenges.

1. Caste Reconciliation:
   •  A partnership with Mayawati may evoke resistance from some of BJP’s core upper-caste vote base. However, this should be managed by framing the alliance as a step towards social harmony and national unity.
   • Mayawati would not be joining the BJP but NDA, preserving her party’s independent identity and mitigating caste-related concerns within the BJP to some extent.
2. Power-Sharing Dynamics:
   • Clear, documented long-term agreements outlining objective and fair power-sharing models at the state and national levels can prevent misunderstandings.
   • The alliance could focus on issues of mutual interest, such as welfare programs for SC and other marginalized communities.

A historic milestone in Indian politics

If successfully implemented, this alliance could go down in India’s history as a landmark in caste reconciliation. This will also counter the US and global misinformation being spread against Modi and BJP.

It would send a strong message that the BJP is committed to empowering all sections of society, especially the historically marginalized.

Moreover, by increasingly emphasizing Ambedkar’s contributions and the BJP’s respect for his ideals, as it has been doing already, the party can neutralize the opposition’s false narrative.

Initiatives such as erecting monuments, launching welfare schemes in Ambedkar’s name, and amplifying his vision of social justice can further cement this effort.

Additional steps to secure SC votes

1. Grassroots Outreach:
   • BJP cadres should engage directly with SC communities, in association with BSP, highlighting welfare schemes and success stories.
2. Recognizing Local Leadership:
   • Promoting SC leaders within the BJP can strengthen trust and representation.
3. Educational and Economic Opportunities:
   • Expanding scholarships, skill development programs, and entrepreneurship initiatives targeting SC youth as part of SC-ST Empowerment.
   • Partnering with the private sector to create job opportunities in SC-majority regions.
4. Strategic Communication:
   • A focused media campaign celebrating Ambedkar’s legacy and the BJP’s and NDA’s work for SC empowerment can counter misinformation.

Conclusion

An alliance with the Mayawati-led BSP, combined with targeted outreach and welfare initiatives, offers the BJP a unique opportunity to create a new social and political paradigm.

Not only can it counter the opposition’s divisive narratives, but it can also set the stage for a historic transformation in India’s political landscape.

By prioritizing inclusivity and empowerment, the BJP can not only win more elections but also win the trust of millions of SC voters, ensuring a more united and prosperous India, for the long term.

For a more detailed perspective on this suggestion, please refer to my previous article on this subject[1], where I discussed the need for a BJP-BSP alliance and how it could reshape Indian politics, long before the current Ambedkar controversy arose.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Reference:

[1] How about Mayawati in the NDA? – Jun 07, 2024, PGurus.com

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