New Delhi: It will be a musical start to the BJP’s election campaign in Bihar. With freshly composed songs, the saffron party would reach out to people asking for “one chance” to form the government on its own in the state, while also invoking the Bihari pride through inclusive message of various figures belonging to the state.
BJP chief Amit Shah would kick start the campaign on Thursday in Bihar by flagging off specially designed 250 mobile raths (chariots). With one rath each for the 243 assembly constituencies, the TVs installed in these vehicles would showcase Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one year achievements at Centre; central government’s initiatives for the state, the development work done by the BJP ruled states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and even six months of neighbouring Jharkhand government.
“We will run a positive campaign in the state, without too much criticism of Lalu Prasad Yadav,” a BJP leader involved in state campaign said adding that Modi will also hold his first rally in the state on July 25 at Muzaffarpur. Though, the BJP is not going to announce a chief ministerial candidate, it would focus on hardselling Modi’s appeal and work done by party ruled states. The elections are likely to be held in November, the BJP wants to use the time in between to hold hundreds of rallies to reach out to maximum people.
The two songs composed for the elections campaign gives a peek into the BJP’s strategy for the state whose polity is divided along the caste lines.
The first song composed, penned and sung by Bhojpuri actor and BJP’s Lok Sabha MP from Delhi, Manoj Tewari. The song titled ‘Iss Baar BJP; Eik Baar BJP’ (this time BJP, at least once BJP) asks people to rise above caste divisions, and vote for government which ensures bijli, paani, sadak. The song at the same time remind people of lawlessness that prevailed during the Lalu Yadav’s time saying loot, hatya, apaharan ka daanav phir sataye (demon of loot, murder and kidnapping is again causing fear).
As the BJP fears that Nitish-Lalu combine may have caste combination favouring them and even muslims aligning with them during the elections, the BJP is trying to present its inclusive side. The second song being recorded for the purpose talks about the ‘proud history’ of the state, where various religious leaders, freedom fighters, political leaders have been from the state.
“The second song is only invoking Bihari pride in people. It does not talk about BJP,” a BJP leader said. But the subtext of song is clear. The song starts with Buddhist hymns, invokes the name of Allah, Sikh religion. It then goes on to talk about Bihar being a land that was a birth place and karmbhoomi of figures like Sita, Ashoka, Chanakya, Guru Gobind Singh, Aryabhat. To make their message more contemporary, the song also talks about the contribution of political figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jai Prakash Narain and former dalit deputy PM Babu Jagjivan Ram.
Sources said BJP would also compose songs in the three main languages of the state: Bhojpuri, Maithili, Angika. Even prominent actors and celebrities from the state like Niruva, Shweta Tewari, Ravi Kishen will also be extended an invitation to lend a helping hand in BJP to transform the state.