Opposition needs to rephrase political messages to counter Narendra Modi

BJP scooped 325 of the total 403 seats in UP and decimated the entire Opposition camp

In the backdrop of humiliating defeat in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the opposition parties have the onerous task of rephrasing their political messages to take on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mascot and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in future elections.

BJP scored a three-fourth majority in the state polls by scooping 325 of the total 403 seats and in the process decimating the entire Opposition camp.

The poll in Uttar Pradesh were crucial, since it was held after demonetisation, which was vociferously demonised by the opposition parties as anti-poor measure to corner Modi. The poll were positioned as virtual referendum on Modi and demonetisation. The saffron party emerged with flying colours is no exaggeration.

The Opposition conveniently ignored that BJP had been winning almost all the major local bodies polls on a trot across the country held after demonetisation. These results had amply proved that the general public had widely supported the decision, which was pitched by BJP as a radical step against corruption and black money.

Any which way, the UP poll has firmly re-established Modi's credentials as the country's tallest political leader, whose popularity now transcends the larger caste and now even community barriers.

Against the outwardly positive campaigning by BJP and spearheaded by Modi talking about development and jobs, the opposition parties had weaved their electon narrative on a negative plank by attacking the PM over demonetisation and tarring him with slurs of communalism and intolerance.

Modi not only helped BJP consolidate its traditional vote bank, the party was able to attract a large chunk of voters from other outfits, including non-Jatav dalits from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and non-Yadav backward castes (BC) from Samajwadi Party. The surge in votes for BJP helped it clock over 40 per cent mark of the votes and coast to victory.

In run up to UP poll, the Opposition were harping on their seasoned attack on Modi without realising that ground realities were distinct and that BJP had already learnt its important lessons, especially after Bihar and Delhi poll debacles.

Prominent opposition leaders, including former UP Chief Minister and SP President Akhilesh Yadav, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and BSP Chief Mayawati overtly and covertly warned electorate against the prospects of BJP winning, which they claimed would be detrimental to minorities and dalits. Yet, their narrative did not cut the ice with the voters.

Mayawati went a step ahead alleging BJP would quash reservations if it came to power. She raised issues of alleged atrocities on dalit students and fielded 100-odd Muslim candidates hoping to attract the community's vote en bloc. It did not reap any dividend.

Over the past several months, the Opposition had been cornering Modi over alleged intolerance, raised doubts over the veracity of surgical strike, supported freedom of speech in Left dominated campuses and demonetisation. These parties failed to gauge the mood of people, who put national interest above other issues.

The overt attempt by Opposition to woo minorities only spurred counter-polarisation and benefitted BJP. Interestingly, the party even won in several constituencies, which had sizeable Muslim population. A rattled Mayawati even alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) had been manipulated.

The self proclaimed champions of dalit and minority rights need to revisit their poll strategies and communicate positive messages to people for seeking votes. Any which way, BJP seem to have little competition going forward.