National Elections 2009 – A critique on BJP’s performance

An analysis of the pitfalls BJP faced in its quest to regain power. This is an external view on the party’s shortcomings and suggests steps to be taken to strentghen its base and improve its reach.
Missteps-
1) Greatest misstep– Internal bickering. (Mr. Jaitely and Sudhanshu Mittal on Assam issue, how can a National party allow this to happen at the time of National Elections? There are many such instances. This was projected in the media as BJP’s weakness, inability to work together, ego battles etc. Varun Gandhi's comments did it take away the urban middle class votes ?
2) Alliance management – BJD breaking off has been a setback but the way the Sena alliance was closed gave no confidence to the public that it is a National alliance to vote for
3) Pub issue – Though this has apparently not affected the result in Karnataka and Mangalore region it had an impact in the urban areas. Media (T.V and Print) showed the party as retrogressive. The party’s core ‘i.e.’ urban middle class especially women moved away
4) Ram Mandir – Congress projected this as a one agenda party. Knowing very well that this is complex issue and will take time the issue should have been played low. Public felt irritated when it is being said temple will be built …..
5) Personal attacks on PM – This was overdone and public were not ready to accept such criticism of the PM
6) Youth – There were not many youthful faces campaigning for the party. Priyanka vs. Modi was a hands down victory for congress on who is projecting youth
7) Party Management – There is a perception that there are too many groups in the party and it is not unified. This gives a poor image to the public
8) Mobilization of the middleclass – No particular attempt was made to mobilize the middle class voters who are the party’s core, they have moved to the congress
9) Telengana – Telengana in A.P is a fertile area for the BJP to strengthen its base in one more state in the south. But poor leadership in the state is not helping
10) Nuclear Issue – Middle class felt that the Nuclear deal was good for the country and the party should have taken a nuanced stance rather than looking against it
11) Jumping the gun attitude – what is the need for projecting Mr. Modi as a PM in contention. Again media overplayed it and it looked like the party has groups and is not unified
Focus areas for bouncing back –
1) Youth to the fore – The second line should come forward with positive agenda. Need to induct more youth. Who are the Sachin pilot’s and Scindia’s in BJP. Can the party rope in someone like Pratibha Advani? Kishan Reddy in A.P to National level? Manvendra Singh to a spokesman level? ( Names taken arbitrarily can be any one young and energetic)
2) Positive agenda – Project a positive face and agenda. Infrastructure, Health care for the poor, Employment opportunities etc
3) Build strong leadership back in the BC and OBC sections of the party.
4) Lure back the urban voters. Banish Ram Sena type of elements. They are not useful to the party image. People like progressive outlook.
5) Identify new states where the party can make gains – Telengana in AP, some areas in Kerala, Maharastra,UP and Identify future contestants, mentor them to be ready to run for office from now on. Work with an objective of winning at least one seat in all states where the party has minimal presence
6) Don’t make noise on every Valentine’s Day it is not important at all. Party should spend time building and cultivating base
7) Start looking afresh at alliances. Most of the last 5 years was spent in managing Shiv sena who was looking to move towards NCP. Do you need alliances if you have a core base?
8) Be aware that the party is incumbent in crucial states which will be going for elections in the next 3 years. Governance should be given top most criteria in these states.
9) Focus on capturing women voters in the urban and rural areas. They are long term companions compared to men
10) Attack the government policies not the person
11) Make presence felt these 5 years, public should not think that the main opposition party has given up
12) Make inroads into the student community/youth via web. Strengthen BJP student wings. Do not underestimate the image of Rahul Gandhi you have a formidable force in him you need to counter him through the same youth.
13) BJP is suffering the same image like the Republicans in the US. Need youthful and thoughtful leadership like the Democrats
14) Most Important – Right now identify 200 seats to be won in 2014 and start cultivating them. That is the bench mark set by Congress. This is the most important activity for the BJP now, and should start the process in right ernest.