In the build-up to the Bihar assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party enthusiastically projected Narendra Modi as its main vote catcher. But days after the first of five-phase poll got underway on October 12, there are signs that the party may be getting jittery.
So far, surveys predict a close contest between the BJP and the alliance led by the Janata Dal (United). But political observers believe that the party may subtly be attempting to devise a strategy to shield the prime minister's image from damage in the event of a defeat.
Until polling got underway, the BJP’s Bihar campaign was singularly focused on Modi and party president Amit Shah. The BJP did not name a chief ministerial candidate, which has ensured that the prime minister is the sole rallying point for voters. Larger-than-life images of the two leaders are plastered on billboards across the state capital of Patna and along state highways. State party leaders, including former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, are most often absent from these hoardings. The BJP adopted a similar strategy in the advertisements it placed in local dailies before the first phase of polling.
Visible change
Now, while the visuals on the billboards remain unchanged, there is a subtle difference in the party’s latest print advertisements. A BJP advertisement that appeared in Hindi dailies the morning after the first phase contained images of Amit Shah along with several local party leaders and allies. The prime minister was not included. On October 14, a similar advertisement omitted both Shah and Modi.
“You will find more such advertisements if the second phase of polling [to be held on October 16] does not indicate that the party has a clear edge over its rivals,” said a BJP leader, who admitted that the party’s performance in the first phase was not very encouraging. “If the trend continues, then it is better to make this election appear as a battle of state leaders in Bihar rather than let it be seen as a referendum on Narendra Modi’s performance.”
The BJP faced a similar predicament in Delhi earlier this year. Sensing defeat, it changed strategy in the middle of the assembly election campaign. After months of conducting a Modi-centric strategy, the party's sudden decision to declare former Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi as its chief ministerial candidate was seen as an attempt to find a scapegoat in the event of its eventual defeat.
So far, surveys predict a close contest between the BJP and the alliance led by the Janata Dal (United). But political observers believe that the party may subtly be attempting to devise a strategy to shield the prime minister's image from damage in the event of a defeat.
Until polling got underway, the BJP’s Bihar campaign was singularly focused on Modi and party president Amit Shah. The BJP did not name a chief ministerial candidate, which has ensured that the prime minister is the sole rallying point for voters. Larger-than-life images of the two leaders are plastered on billboards across the state capital of Patna and along state highways. State party leaders, including former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, are most often absent from these hoardings. The BJP adopted a similar strategy in the advertisements it placed in local dailies before the first phase of polling.
Visible change
Now, while the visuals on the billboards remain unchanged, there is a subtle difference in the party’s latest print advertisements. A BJP advertisement that appeared in Hindi dailies the morning after the first phase contained images of Amit Shah along with several local party leaders and allies. The prime minister was not included. On October 14, a similar advertisement omitted both Shah and Modi.
“You will find more such advertisements if the second phase of polling [to be held on October 16] does not indicate that the party has a clear edge over its rivals,” said a BJP leader, who admitted that the party’s performance in the first phase was not very encouraging. “If the trend continues, then it is better to make this election appear as a battle of state leaders in Bihar rather than let it be seen as a referendum on Narendra Modi’s performance.”
The BJP faced a similar predicament in Delhi earlier this year. Sensing defeat, it changed strategy in the middle of the assembly election campaign. After months of conducting a Modi-centric strategy, the party's sudden decision to declare former Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi as its chief ministerial candidate was seen as an attempt to find a scapegoat in the event of its eventual defeat.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!