EDITORIAL | Why Batadrava is so important to BJP, ahead of Assam polls

FROM THE EDITOR's DESK:

The saffron party has upped the ante, raising the poll pitch in election-bound Assam. And with barely two months left for the all-important Assembly polls, the ruling BJP is striking an emotional chord with the indigenous people, their religions, customs and tradition, thanks to a “party-government promotion” model it follows better than other political parties.

At least, that’s a mantra that has kept the party miles ahead of the rest in the political race in Assam.

Thursday’s visit of the Union Home Minister to Batadrava - the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev – a 15-16th century Vaishnavite saint, scholar, playwright, social and religious reformer, more importantly, a colossal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam - is just one example of how the BJP has timed its scheme of things right.

The schedule is packed for Shah, who was seen hours back, at the world’s biggest cricket stadium, named after the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, which is yet another example of the self-glorification it adheres to.

And it’s apparently working, as the party seems to be ticking the right boxes, well almost.

Also Read: Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Assam: Live Updates

Hours after the cricket stadium sojourned (where the day/night pink ball Test match between India and England is currently underway), Shah was at the LGBI Airport for his third visit to Assam this year.

The packed Nagaon-Karbi Anglong schedule before he flies off to Delhi includes a public meeting at Batadrava, foundation stone laying for the developmental projects at Batadrava Than, a visit to the Maha Mritunjoy temple in Nagaon district, which has Asia’s tallest Shiva ling.

At Batadrava, Shah will attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a massive socio-cultural complex that the government will build there—again, a symbolic gesture of the commitment, years back, that the BJP will protect and promote Assam's indigenous culture and tradition.

The saffron party has gone into a mute zone, not uttering the word “CAA” (Citizenship Amendment Act) - again a poll strategy – as otherwise, the arithmetic would be disturbed in the wake of a Grand Alliance – looking to make CAA its prime poll plank this time.

Later, Shah will attend the unity, peace and development rally in Karbi Anglong where he will address another public meeting at Denarong.

“We are creating history. This is unprecedented; No central leader has since Independence come to grace such a programme at Mahapurush Sankardev’s birthplace. No other government has done so much. This is significant as Batadrava will have the world-class infrastructure”, one BJP member said, minutes ahead of Shah’s arrival at Batadrava.

Also Read: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in poll-bound Assam

The BJP attained a resounding victory at the birthplace of the saint in 2016, when a first-timer in politics, actress Angoorlata Deka of BJP defeated a Congress seasoned politician like Gautam Bora, primarily due to an aggressive campaign.

MLA Angoorlata Deka says that Shah’s visit to Batadrava is “not political”. "This visit by Amit Shahji has no connection with politics. He will come to this religious place and we are so excited. So many bhakts have come, travelling great distances. This massive (Rs 188 crore Batadrava Than development) project in this encroachment-free place is indeed a welcome development,” Angoorlata said.

Echoing similar views, Morigaon MLA Pijush Hazarika said, “He will be paying a religious visit to tour (like a pilgrimage) and seek blessings at the historic Batadrava Than. This visit is not poll-related.”

Well, again the BJP MLAs are playing to the galleries. But this visit of Shah is all about stamping BJP’s dominance in the seat which also has a sizeable Muslim (Bengali Muslim) electorate.

It is only about the polls.

Last time, the Muslim vote was apparently divided between BJP and Congress, which proved to be the clincher for the Assamese film actress-turned-politician.

But this time, there is a Mahajoot (Grand Alliance) at work, with the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF in the alliance and looking to bag the Muslim votes. The saffron party is wary, and in most cases, makes it a point to do its homework right.

So, needless to say, that Batadrava will see a bigger rivalry this time as the Congress-AIUDF alliance might mean complete polarisation of Muslim votes against BJP.

As it is, BJP is pushing its idea of identity politics for Assam polls, and Shah’s visit is linked to just that only.

Also Read: EDITORIAL | Will Congress' grand alliance overthrow BJP in upcoming Assam Assembly polls?