Ayodhya:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched its election campaign in Uttar Pradesh from Ayodhya. Though the party had dropped the 'Ram Mandir' as its main issue as a part of its NDA alliance some elections back, even here at ground zero the focus was 'Ram Rajya', not 'Ram Mandir'.
The BJP now its seems wants votes not in the name of 'Ram Mandir' but 'Ram Rajya'. And this telling indication came in Ayodhya where the party flagged off its campaign for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls.
"Mandir is not an issue," said BJP President Nitin Gadkari.
In familiar settings, the BJP displayed signs of change. Speaker after speaker, dropped subtle mythological and cultural hints but resisted temple talk.
"The people of this state wants freedom from Ravan Rajya," said BJP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi at the rally.
The BJP has lost the caste battle to the Bahujan Samajwadi Party and the Samajwadi Party in the earlier elections. And it seems clear that their 'mandir card' is obsolete now. So to signal the change - Advani's yatra stayed away from Ayodhya. He was also missing from the campaign launch in Ayodhya.
But to keep 'Hindutva' elements happy - a blend of development and emotional appeal - is being offered. So for the UP polls - the party started from Varanasi - home to the Kashi Temple dispute and from Mathura - home to the Krishna Temple dispute. They ended in Ayodhya - home to the Ram Temple dispute.
Those who once voted for the BJP or the 'mandir card' have reclaimed 'Ram' from the politician. But ghosts from the backyard of history continue to haunt the BJP. Real politics tells the BJP - 'move on'. The ghosts, however, say 'hang on'. Hence, the shift to 'Ram Rajya'. This could be a tactical tweak - or maybe democracy defeating the demons.