The BJP intends to pin inflated analysis of the remark by Mani Shankar Aiyar and its supposed impact on election results, but overestimating its importance is wishful thinking.
The atmosphere in the BJP camp seemed to be bordering on jubilation when the news of Mani Shankar Aiyar’s now infamous ‘neech’ remark arrived. The point of celebration was: “Yes, here is the moment we were seeking, something that would swing Gujarati masses decisively towards Modi, pushing aside all other issues.”
Until now, the Congress was cautious not to give any such issue to the BJP. Rahul Gandhi played safe, and even issued public instructions to respect the PM of the country at the beginning of his campaign. It was evident when someone from the youth Congress came up with a distasteful meme of Trump-May-Modi: the Congress disowned it quickly. Then Aiyar provided ammo at the eleventh hour, before campaigning for the first phase was about to close.
The judgement was out, many in the BJP said, and Aiyar had provided the defining moment for the 2017 Gujarat elections. A list of other similar examples of Congress barbs from the past was produced – from “Maut ka Saudagar” to Aiyar’s “you can sell tea here”.
To overestimate the importance of Aiyar’s remark is nothing but wishful thinking. But the BJP intends to pin inflated analysis of Aiyar’s remark and its supposed impact on election results.
– It is not completely out of place or illogical to go by precedents and declare Aiyar’s remark to be ‘match-winning’ from the BJP’s point of view. But one must remember the circumstances in which previous remarks were used, and the present situation in which it is being played up. Just like ‘Indira is India’, Modi successfully established ‘Modi is Gujarat’, and ‘Insult to Modi is Insult to Gujarat’. UPA rule at the Centre made it easy for Modi to play the victim card. He made large sections of the Gujarati masses believe he was their messiah, and that the Congress was after him. I recall that the BJP even came up with a poster showing Modi behind bars. It was alleged at that time that this was what the Congress wanted. The victimhood card paid rich dividends till 2012.
– As far as dignity of his office is concerned, Modi’s own record is very disappointing, especially during the present Gujarat campaign. Sample this: during a public meeting at Palitana (district Bhavnagar), he tried to resurrect a three-decade-old incident to incite Patels against Kshatriyas. Fortunately, Patels and Kshatriyas have moved on after that violent incident at Mangadh 33 years ago. They quickly organised a press conference and criticised the PM’s below-the-belt effort to dig up past horrors for the sake of his political gain.
– Rahul Gandhi lost no time in suspending Aiyar, an unusual show of decisiveness for a party known for its indecisiveness.
– A sizeable section of the people of Gujarat are unhappy with the BJP government for several reasons. Many people in Gujarat have started criticising Modi openly for the first time. His credibility has dipped, even as he continues to charm many. Modi has sincerely tried to attach Congress with Muslims. (Remember, Modi termed Aiyar’s statement as ‘Mughlai’ and not ‘Brahmanical’.)
In the past, only one spin was needed to turn the tables. But this is no longer the case. The BJP has already played up Rahul’s temple book-entry, the ‘Aurangzeb-rule’ in the Congress, and the youth Congress meme.
Whatever the results, Aiyar’s remark is not likely to be a game changer. On the contrary, it shows the desperation of the BJP, which is in search of a foul remark to win its bastion one more time.
Urvish Kothari is a senior columnist and writer based in Ahmedabad.
true and unbiased analysis.