The 2023 legislative assembly elections in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura witnessed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a resounding victory. The BJP’s success in these elections can be attributed to a combination of factors, including effective campaigning, alliance-building, and delivery of development schemes.
While Himanta Biswa Sarma is the face of BJP and a growing force of Hindutva. These states are ridden with Christian missionaries and possess the strongest Christian demography. The BJP’s victory in these states is a testament to the party’s growing presence in the Northeast. The BJP has been making steady inroads in the region since the 2014 general elections.
But consciously or unconsciously where remains Hindutva in BJP’s agenda of North-east?
BJP’s Developmental Approach
The BJP’s campaign strategy in these states was meticulously planned and executed. The party’s leadership had identified the issues that resonated with the electorate, and the messaging was tailored accordingly. The party focused on issues such as infrastructure development, job creation, and social welfare schemes. The BJP also made a conscious effort to connect with the local population and address their concerns. This approach helped the party in gaining the trust of the voters.
The Modi government’s focus on infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and airports, has had a positive impact on the people of these states.
The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has also provided much-needed relief to the poor and marginalized sections of society.
BJP’s Alliance strategy
Another factor that contributed to the BJP’s success was its ability to forge alliances with regional parties. In Nagaland, the BJP formed an alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). In Meghalaya, the party joined hands with the United Democratic Party (UDP). In Tripura, the BJP was part of the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) alliance. These alliances helped the BJP in broadening its electoral base and gaining the support of regional parties and their voters.
In Nagaland BJP bagged 12 seats and the alliance partner NDPP won 25 seats. Moreover, BJP’s performance in Tripura was outstanding with 32 seats and 39% vote share.
BJP and Saffron Wave
At this point when BJP has swept the so-called secular alliances of the Christian dominant states. Does it not guarantee a Hindutva wave? Where BJP does actually stand for the cause of Sanatan Dharma in this centre-stage of Christianity?
When there was a hope among the Bengalis for an alternative in the name of BJP, something was setting off in Bengal. And the situation resulted in a mass exodus of Hindus which still holds blame in the accounts of BJP. Therefore, it becomes imperative that BJP must make a clear stand for the overhauling process of Christianisation in the Northeastern state. Along with that maintaining the actual ideals of Sanatan Dharma intact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the BJP’s victory in the 2023 legislative assembly elections in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura is a result of its effective campaign strategy, alliance-building, and successful implementation of development schemes. What goes beyond election and development is Hindutva resurgence, while condemning rampant Christianisation in the states.
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