Author: Rehana Shaikh
Publication: Hindu Voice
Date: January, 2003
Introduction: Hindutva is the BJP's
strength. The strength of Congress is Secularism, which is in danger. Sonia's
mistake is reminiscent of the mistake Rajiv Gandhi made in 1989. Instead
of staying with the Congress ideology, Rajiv, decided to open the campaign
for the general elections of 1989 from Aydhya
The Congress election strategy in
this crucial election is incomprehensible, even if one uses nothing more
esoteric than common sense. Who advised Sonia to begin her campaign from
Ambaji, a pilgrimage center? What signal was she sending? That She was
a devout Hindu? That the Congress was a party of only devout Hindus?
One need not have any problem with
candidates visiting temples, mosques or churches. But to politicize religion
is another matter. In fact, it is against secularism, of which we boast
many times. To make Hindutva your central message is to surrender to the
BJP even before the battle has begun. You do not have to be a Clausewitz
to realize that you never fight on a battleground of the enemy's choice;
you select a field where you have the advantage. That is elementary, dear
Congress.
Hindutva is the BJP's strength.
The strength of Congress is secularism, which is in danger. Sonia's mistake
is reminiscent of the mistake Rajiv Gandhi made in 1989. As party president
of the BJP, L.K. Advani had pounced on Rajiv's compromise with Muslims
over the Shah Bano case. Instead of staying with the Congress ideology,
Rajiv, decided to open the campaign fort he general elections of 1989 from
Ayodhya. Rajiv Gandhi's earlier mistake was to start the Ramayan serial
on the national TV network. Sonia's greater mistake and softness towards
Hindutva is also clear from her appointing Shankarsingh Vaghela, a former
RSS man to head the party in Gujarat and another RSS man to oppose Narendra
Modi.
The Congress lost just enough Muslims
in localities that are seats in 1989 to bring the BJP within. In striking
distance of power. In a very real sense the Congress has not recovered
from 1989. Just when the party was showing signs of recovery, Sonia has
repeated this mistake. The Congress strategy of "soft-Hindutva" reeks of
cynicism and contempt: Cynicism about its ideology and contempt for the
voter. The cynicism is evident everywhere. Sonia, as president of the party,
has permitted her candidates to treat Muslims as lepers
Congress candidates and leaders
shy away from being seen with Muslims in localities that are predominantly
or totally Hindu, In many places Muslims have been told real sense the
Congress has not to keep away from Congress offices. Sonia believes that
the Muslims have no option except to vote for her, so why bother about
them; she must woo the Hindus by becoming a saffron Congress. If the Congress
is going to be the B-Team of the BJP why should the voter not, stick with
the real thing and vote BJP? Why elect the fraud?
The implications of this strategy
stretch far beyond this election. The Congress under Sonia has decided
to abandon secular politics in Gujarat and imitate Modi. It is a difference
of degree and not content. No wonder Jawaharial Nehru's face is missing
from recovered from 1989. Just when the lineage of Congress leaders on
party was showing signs of recovery, Congress posters, although Sonia's
Sonia has repeated this mistake. The is included. Congressmen must Congress
strategy of "soft-Hindutva" decide whether they wish to have reeks of cynicism
and contempt: Sonia's "soft-Hindutva" or Jawaharial's Cynicism about its
ideology and commitment to secularism. They must Hindutva is the BJP's
strength. contempt for the voter. The cynicism choose either Mahatma Gandhi
or Sonia Gandhi.
Is success the only measure of ideology?
Supposing the Congress does well by imitating Modi. Does this mean that
the Congress should rewrite its values and convictions? Genuine is evident
everywhere. Sonia, as lovers of the 117 year, old Congress president of
the party, has permitted should have warned Sonia earlier her candidates
to treat Muslims as when she took a dip in the Ganges lepers during Hindus'
Kumbhamela, and saw Sonia touching the feet of the actors Congress candidates
and leaders of Ram and Laxman in the Ramlila shy away from being seen with
and taking their blessings, on the front page of the Times of India, which
had so far been doing a lot of service for the Nehru parivar. In case the
Congress does not mend its ways, the party and the nation is bound to lose
in the future.