NEW DELHI: AAP’s wins in assembly polls had previously overshadowed BJP’s celebrations after its victories in 2014 and 2019 LS polls. Will the story repeat itself on Feb 8?
A deviation from the pattern will help BJP build on momentum it gained after wins in Maharashtra and Haryana at Congress’ expense. This consideration is whetting motivation for the party to make a determined effort to claw back the prominence it enjoyed in a city that became a pocket of its influence much before its success in regions that it currently dominates.
BJP leadership recognises that unseating AAP is not going to be an easy task because of the support Kejriwal enjoys among large sections of the poor on the strength of its welfare schemes. Lack of a face, which could be projected against the AAP boss, and a weakened organisation are seen as the other hurdles.
But BJP strategists see an opening in the diminution of Kejriwal because of charges of corruption, high-handedness symbolised by ‘Sheesh Mahal’, the opulent residence built for him, and decade-long incumbency highlighted by crumbling infra, traffic congestion and a rotting Yamuna. The fact that AAP is in control of MCD has doubled incumbency, shutting the room for blaming poor conditions on the civic body, which was under the BJP for over 15 years.
PM Modi cottoned on to Kejriwal’s vulnerability by dubbing the Kejriwal experiment as “AAP-DA (a crisis of Kejriwal’s creation)”. BJP also sees the polls as another opportunity to highlight Congress’ inability to challenge the saffron party on its own. Political circles are unanimous that irrespective of who wins Delhi , BJP will outperform Congress in this arena as well.
