SEPT 25-BJP’s Prime Minister nominee Narendra Modi will be sounding poll bugle in Bihar with the upcoming “Hunkaar Rally” slated for next month but there are fissures already as the party is divided on how Namo should be projected in Bihar to gain maximum advantage.
A section of BJP leaders, coming from backward class, are of the view that NaMo’s extremely backward class (EBC) credential should be exploited to counter Nitish Kumar’s vote bank “Mahadalits”.
But other leaders believe that Namo be projected in state as a leader with development on his agenda and one who represents all sections of society.
The party is clearly divided which leaders like Sanjay Paswan who heads the SC/ST cell of BJP wanting to play Namo’s caste card before 2014 polls. Paswan asserts that in Bihar, a state where caste politics dominates, it would be beneficial for the party.
Speaking exclusively to Headlines Today, Paswan said “Caste is a reality in this country and caste plays important role in elections. Namo comes from extremely backward class and we are trying to use his caste credentials in elections also in Bihar”.
But others in the party are of a variant view. Avid supporter of Namo in Bihar, BJP leader Giriraj Singh dismisses such a move by the party and asserts that only weak would try to garner votes by exploiting his caste credentials.
Singh maintains that in Bihar, caste cards are played by weak politicians and Namo was above caste and creed. Reacting to Headlines Today’s over Sanjay Paswan’s demand, Singh said “Weak person would exploit his EBC credentials.
We won’t project him as EBC leader but a leader who can take the country to a new high. Namo does not do politics of topi and tikaa. He stands for development”.
In the internal rift brewing in BJP, JD(U) has taken pot shots pointing out that BJP was trying to fool the people of the country by calling Namo EBC as there was no person from EBC category in Gujarat.
Kumar said “This is the biggest lie. Does Gujarat have EBC’s? In Bihar there are EBC’s. When there are no EBC’s in Gujarat then how come Namo be from EBC?
There is confusion as to how BJP should project Namo in Bihar and the difference of opinion within the party definitely does not augur well for BJP.
INDIA TODAY
