Bajrang Bali did not listen to BJP
In fact, if you look at the pattern of election campaign in Karnataka, you can hear the echoes of Bajrang Bali. Many issues including corruption were left behind. When the Congress talked about banning organizations like PFI and Bajrang Dal in its manifesto, there was a political storm. In this issue, the BJP started seeing the certificate of victory. He started campaigning as if the Congress had insulted Lord Bajrang Bali and not Bajrang Dal. PM Modi himself started talking like locking Bajrang Bali. BJP felt that this would lead to tremendous polarization in Karnataka. In other states too, BJP workers started creating ruckus and the entire election went in a different direction. While the Congress maintained the focus on the issue of crime and corruption. A good strategy was seen under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Ration to the poor, schemes for the welfare of women, employment for the youth were promised in the manifesto, so the focus was also on that in the campaign.
Now understand about those 6 faces, for whom Congress has increased the tension.
1. HD Kumaraswamy (JDS)
The entire election in Karnataka was fought between the BJP and the Congress. JDS was nowhere to be seen in the scene. Former CM and JDS chief HD Kumaraswamy is carrying forward his father’s political legacy. His sons also contested in this election. It seemed from the exit poll itself that the Deve Gowda family could become the kingmaker in Karnataka. Even before the counting of votes, news started coming that JDS has decided with whom it will form the government. It is clear that JDS is not seeing itself in a strong position. The point to be understood is that the reduced support base of JDS in Karnataka seems to be directly benefiting the Congress. JDS was third in the last election too but got 37 seats. He’s got a hint for 2024 too.
2. Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party)
AAP was hoping for a miracle in Karnataka after getting the status of a national party, but the trends till 12 noon are telling that its account might not even be opened. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal is also engaged in the efforts of anti-BJP, anti-Congress front. The way he made a dent in the Congress vote bank in Delhi and found success in Punjab, there were indications. It seemed that the new fledgling Aam Aadmi Party could fill the space left vacant by the weakening of the Congress across the country, but it should not be expected for the time being. Congress is getting strong again, so Kejriwal will also have to think differently about building his vote base.
‘Bajrang Bali’ not with BJP in Karnataka, read live updates
3. Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress)
Whenever there is talk of a third front, Mamta Banerjee’s party Trinamool Congress is also discussed. Mamta Banerjee’s party seems to be projecting her to compete with BJP in 2024. The way BJP threw full force in the assembly elections in Bengal and even after that the victory of Mamta’s party indicated that only Mamta can give Modi a fight. If you look at the current situation, at the time of Karnataka elections, when BJP leaders and the entire party were busy promoting ‘Kerala Story’, Mamta banned the film in the state. However, the victory of the Congress in Karnataka after Himachal means that the Congress has got a lead in giving a direct challenge to the BJP. In the future, if there is a front on the opposition unity, then the Congress would like to keep itself in the leadership position again. After the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi lost his membership, but during the campaign in Karnataka, he appeared as an attacker on the BJP. In such a situation, it is clear that Congress has now brought itself in a position to lead in the anti-BJP front. Earlier also its leaders have said that only Congress can challenge BJP across the country.
4. K Chandrasekhar Rao (TRS)
Telangana CM K. When Chandrasekhar Rao changed the name of the party from Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi, the message went out that he was looking for a national role for himself. When he met Mamta Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav, the equations of the Third Front began to be set. At that time, it seemed that due to the weakening of the Congress, its role in the anti-BJP front could remain ‘junior’, but the way the Congress has made a comeback in Karnataka and before that in Himachal, it has again brought it to the center. .
5. Nitish Kumar and Sharad Pawar
In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s party JDU is running the government along with Lalu’s party RJD. Nitish has broken ties with the BJP and is looking for a new role for himself in 2024. Recently he also visited Delhi, Maharashtra and Kolkata. In fact, before 2024, who will give competition to the BJP, when the answer to this question was sought, everyone started keeping the Congress on the backdoor. He was feeling that at present his condition is not the same, but perhaps the effect of Bharat Jodo Yatra is visible.
Congress’s victory in Karnataka has not only opened the way for itself, it has also prevented allies like JDU and NCP from splintering. In Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar’s party has run the government in collaboration with NCP, Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Now both Nitish and Pawar have got the message that the time has come to strengthen the UPA by forgetting about the Third Front. Lest the votes get divided into three parts in the third front, because only BJP will get the benefit of this.