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| Arvind Kejriwal & PM Narendra Modi Photo By REPORTLINE |
New Dehli - In the heart of India's capital, a political chess game is unfolding where traditional calculations of class-based voting patterns are being put to the test. While the BJP has been focusing on tax rebates and anti-corruption narratives, party insiders suggest the strategy might need refinement.
"The segment which benefits the most from the tax rebate does not decide elections," revealed a party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Delhi voting may remain dominated by the very poor and those dependent on the welfare schemes of the government." This assessment holds true even for the New Delhi constituency, where Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting.
The BJP's campaign against Kejriwal, centered on corruption allegations including his jail time in the excise policy case and the controversial "Sheesh Mahal" residence renovation, appears to have gained limited traction with voters. Despite Kejriwal's transformation from an anti-corruption crusader to an accused, these charges haven't significantly swayed public opinion.
A significant challenge for the BJP lies in its leadership proposition for Delhi. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity remains strong, as evidenced by the party's sweeping victory in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the absence of a strong local face to counter Kejriwal could prove crucial. The party's strategy of seeking votes in Modi's name might not be enough to bridge this leadership gap at the state level.
"Every party in India, be it Leftist, Rightist, centrist or capitalist, now agrees with welfare politics. There is no contradiction in it. The revdi talk is over," noted a senior BJP leader, acknowledging the shifting political landscape where welfare politics has become a crucial element across the ideological spectrum.
The electoral dynamics in Delhi present a unique challenge where voters have shown the ability to differentiate between national and state leadership, consistently backing Modi at the center while maintaining faith in Kejriwal's leadership for state governance.
This complex political equation raises questions about whether the BJP's current strategy can effectively address Delhi's dual voting pattern, where slum votes often prove decisive, and the traditional middle-class support base may not be enough to swing electoral outcomes.
