Political experts said that the ‘patriotic budget’ presented by the Aam Aadmi Party government earlier this week, and the remarks of party chief Arvind Kejriwal that they have been trying to create a “Ram Rajya” in Delhi for the last six years, counter. Try to do. There are challenges before the BJP.
He said that other parties have also been forced to adopt this stance.
“We all worship Lord Rama. Personally, I worship Lord Hanuman who was a devotee of Lord Rama. Therefore, I am a devotee of both. Lord Rama was the emperor of Ayodhya. During his rule, the people were satisfied as they had access to all basic facilities. It was called ‘Ram Rajya’ … We have been continuously trying to establish this model of ‘Ram Rajya’ in Delhi for the last six years, “Mr. Kejriwal said in the Delhi Assembly on 10 March.
While experts said that renewal of national hopes could be one reason that AAP is overshadowing nationalism, he said that the government should prioritize unemployment and education in the budget and not ‘patriotism’.
Political analyst Neerja Chaudhary said that the AAP has extracted a leaf from the “BJP plot” which “underlines patriotism and nationalism”. “AAP is using these symbols to identify the concerns and feelings of Hindu voters who are conscious of their Hindu identity. Even the Congress is visiting the temple, but they have not been able to connect with the people.
Ms Chaudhary said that in order to win over such Hindus, the AAP would also have to indicate to Muslims that “we are not against you” and that this is a “hard move”.
Opposition in boxing
BJP said, ‘BJP has a story in opposition. The BJP has created a story that secularism is equal to minority appeasement. The BJP may take a strong stand as they do not want Muslim votes, but other parties have to strike a balance.
Praveen Rai, a political analyst who works with the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, said that all secular parties have been labeled “anti-Hindu” by the BJP and people are buying that narrative.
“Every party is trying to come out of that image. AAP is working and now they are weaving nationalist and Hindutva narratives in their development story.
Mentioning Mr. Kejriwal’s comments that Ram Rajya was based on 10 principles, including people’s right to food and good education, Ms. Chaudhary said that the AAP is trying to “kidnap” Lord Ram from the BJP and Making the name more “inclusive”. And redefine it.
“The BJP has used Lord Ram as a divisive tool. What the AAP is trying to say is that Ram Rajya does not mean to demolish a community or lie.
“But Muslims may ask, ‘Why not Ramrajya and our symbols?” There is no answer to this. Therefore, it is not fully inclusive.
Arun Kumar, a former professor of economics at JNU, said the 2021-22 budget was “political” in terms of the language used, and the government is presenting it in the same way. “After the epidemic, the government should prioritize unemployment and public school,” he said, setting aside national flags should be “low priority” to set aside ₹ 45 crore.
“Money could be used to care for the poor. But because of the BJP, all political parties are under pressure and the spectrum has almost completely gone right, ”he said.
In the budget of 2021-22, a budget of 45 crores has been set aside to install the tricolor at 500 places in the capital. A budget of ₹ 10 crore each has been allocated separately for organizing the program to honor Sardar Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Another med 25 crore has been allocated towards providing yoga and meditation services to the public through government-trained teachers.
Mr. Rai said that during the last Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP won by an overwhelming majority due to its popular policies. But the BJP, by “raising communal issues”, was able to increase its vote share “substantially” [by 6%]However, it did not turn into seats.
‘Policies are not enough’
“The AAP understood after the election that plans and policies may not be enough to win elections in the future. Shri Kejriwal also went to a Hanuman temple after the victory.
But Mr. Rai said that the AAP is moving away from Muslims.
“AAP is definitely going to use more Hindu symbols. So far they are not anti-Muslim. So far it is not dangerous, but they have to connect with Muslims and make them comfortable, ”said Ms. Chaudhary.
Asked whether the strategy would work for AAP, Mr. Rai said: “In all practical terms, it is going to work for them.” The BJP is working and associating it with Hindutva, which is working for them. The AAP is trying to capture the position of the weakening Congress. In 2029, the BJP may face a challenge from a new Hindu party – AAP.
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