MYSURU: The recently held Dharma Sansad at Udupi and the resolutions passed at the convention have sparked off political manoeuvring both in the BJP and Congress.
While BJP hopes that the Sansad’s stand on issues like the Ram temple, love jihad and redefining of secularism will ignite nationalistic feelings, raise the morale of BJP men who have been keeping a low profile after the debacle in the recent bypolls, and end the infighting among state leaders, Congress is looking to play up these issues and consolidate its vote bank by taking on those who have called for changes to the basic principles of the Constitution.
The venue of the religious meet and its agenda had a clear purpose — improving BJP’s prospects vis-a-vis the 2013 Assembly election, especially since Congress has been quite aggressive in recent times. Also, the spate of political murders including that of RSS activist Sharath Madivala, the state government’s decision to withdraw grants to the institution run by RSS leader Kalladaka Prabhakar Bhat have forced BJP and right wing groups to put up a show of unity.
The Sansad raised issues like the ban on cow slaughter, export of beef, construction of the Ram temple in a year’s time and asking the government not to meddle in issues related to temples.
This is expected to consolidate Hindu votes in the run-up to the 2018 Assembly elections and also the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Political watchers say that tapping into Hindu sentiments may help cover up the shortcomings of the Narendra Modi government in achieving development, and build a narrative on social issues rather than economic issues like the impact of demonetisation and implementation of GST, which have been criticised by the opposition.
With an eye on the 2019 electoral battle, the BJP and right wing groups are keen to keep secular forces and other parties with strong regional base at bay by whipping up nationalistic sentiments. They also know that BJP is left with no other alternative or second-line leaders after Modi who can connect with masses and make an impact across the country .
BJP spokesman G Madhusudhan said the Dharma Sansad is a national call for Hindu awakening, including all castes and sub-castes, at a time when other religions are posing a cultural threat to Hinduism.
He defended the discussion on reviewing the Constitution which gives more rights for minorities. He also acknowledged that the Sansad has charged public spirit and will help BJP sweep the polls in Mangaluru, Udupi, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts.
On the other hand, the Congress has stepped up its campaign for consolidation of minorities, backward communities and secular voters in coastal districts. It has also planned to take advantage of the right wing demand for a review of the Constitution which has worried dalits, minorities, adivasis and others.
Thinkers and intellectuals leaning towards Congress are being roped in to analyse the Sansad resolutions and step up attacks to counter the BJP and VHP.
Political commentator Prof Muzaffar Asadi feels that the Dharma Sansad plans on building a Ram temple within a year will not materialise as the issue has lost steam and people have started evaluating the performance of the Modi government. Discussions targeting minorities are being stoked to divert people’s attention from the failures of the Modi government, he felt.
On his part, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Dharma Sansad’s resolutions have no importance as they cannot review or rewrite the Constitution. People who strongly believe in secularism, social justice and brotherhood will continue to check communalism.
Congress is strong enough and is geared up to repeat its good performance in coastal districts as welfare programmes have reached a majority of the poor, he asserted.