The article discusses the contradictory statements made by Modi during his campaign. This includes his remarks on Hindu-Muslim relations in Varanasi and his communal rhetoric in Nashik. It also refers to his assertion about the Congress planning to allocate 15% of the budget for Muslims. The article also discusses the history of doublespeak within the RSS, exemplified by Mohan Bhagwat, and the shift in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s stance on the Gujarat riots during Modi’s tenure.
The BJP’s fear of the Congress is also explored, with the Congress receiving 120 million votes in the 2019 general elections. The article suggests that the BJP’s victory in the 2019 elections was due to the first-past-the-post system and that targeting the 120 million Congress voters is a key strategy. The Congress is seen as the preferred choice for Muslims in areas with credible candidates.
The article also discusses the relationship between regional parties and the BJP, with regional parties often allying with the BJP to form governments. It is suggested that Muslim voters understand the opportunism of regional parties and often vote for them due to the weakness of the Congress. The BJP views the Congress as its stable political adversary, and Modi’s criticism of the Congress is seen as a strategic move against Muslims.
Modi’s conciliatory remarks made in Varanasi during polling are also analyzed. These statements are seen as a means to improve international perception. The article also discusses the BJP’s efforts to attract support from Shia Muslims and the party’s historical relationship with this group. The Chabahar agreement is mentioned as having a potential impact on Shia voters in India.
Lastly, the article discusses Iran’s influence and the Shia vote in India. India’s 10-year agreement with Iran to manage the Chabahar port was signed during the general elections, and this could potentially influence Shia voters in India. The agreement is seen as a way to cultivate the Shia vote in Uttar Pradesh. The Shia population in central and eastern UP constituencies is significant.
