Campaigning for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, senior BJP leaders have continued to train their guns on their rivals, firing salvos at them relentlessly over a host of issues. While the BJP’s overall poll strategy seems to be based on polarisation and populism, an analysis of campaign speeches of the party’s top 4 leaders — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath — reveals that their themes and rhetoric are well-orchestrated.

The Indian Express analysed 25 of their speeches, delivered during January 8-February 24, including 10 speeches of Modi and 5 each of Shah, Nadda and Yogi. While Modi has been targeting the opponents on various larger issues, Shah has focused on ideological issues like abrogation of Article 370. Both Nadda and Yogi have been highlighting major government schemes like PM-Kisan, PM Awas Yojana-Gramin and PM Ujjawala.

The analysis shows Modi using the twin themes of ‘parivarvaad’ (dynasty politics) and mafiavaad (criminalisation) in his speeches during all poll phase so far while slamming the Opposition, especially the Samajwadi Party (SP). He has also flagged women safety — “bahanon-betiyon kee manachalon se suraksha (safety of women from stalkers)”.

Addressing a rally in Sitapur on February 16, Modi mentioned “mafia” at least 7 times. “Aap yaad rakhye, UP mein bhaajapa sarakaar hone ka matalab hai dangaraj, mafiaraj, gundaraj in par barabar cantrol. (You remember, having a BJP government in UP means tight control over rioters, mafia and hooligans),” he said.

In his speeches, the PM has even mentioned how the law against triple talaq has benefited Muslim “bahanon-betiyon” (sisters and daughters). “Mothers and sisters have become flag-bearers to ensure BJP’s win, for getting a life of security,” Modi said in Kanpur. “It has been my constant endeavour how I can make the life of my Muslim sisters and daughters easier.”

He has also attacked the SP leadership, calling them “nakalee samaajavadi” (fake socialists). Addressing a virtual Jan Chaupal in Mathura, Agra and Bulandshahr on February 6, he took a swipe at SP president Akhilesh Yadav’s family, saying “Pahale parivaar hee sarkar thee ab poora UP bhajapa sarkar ka parivar hai. (Earlier the SP family was the government, now the entire UP is the BJP government’s family).”

In his poll speeches, Modi has also touched upon issues like the Covid pandemic. In his February 24 Prayagraj rally, he said Covid is a major crisis for humanity, even as he rapped the Opposition leaders for misleading “innocent” people about the Covid vaccine.

In his campaign speeches, Shah has raked up issues like scrapping of Article 370 that have been part of the saffron party’s core agenda for years. He has also sought to corner the SP and the BSP over the law and order issue, calling out names of their jailed leaders like Azam Khan, Atique Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari. He has highlighted riots that occurred in UP during the previous SP government. He has also mentioned India’s surgical strike against Pakistan.

In his rallies, Nadda has showcased the benefits provided by the Modi government to the people under various welfare schemes. Addressing a rally at Handiya on February 23, he said the Modi government has built 1.5 crore houses in rural areas so far. “Ye Modiji ka 56 inch ka seena hai jo 24 ghante bijli Uttar Pradesh me aa rahi hai, isko bhi hamko dhyan me rakhana chahiye .(It is due to Modiji that UP is getting 24-hour electricity.),” he said.

In his fiery speeches, CM Adityanath has gunned for the SP over law and order, even as he has also dwelt on issues like free vaccine, free ration and stray cattle. “Naam Samajwadi, kam tamanchawadi…(The name is Samajwadi, but their work is toting guns),” he told a rally at Babina on February 17.

Complete News Source : The Indian Express