——–S. A. Hemanth———–
Bengaluru, March 5: It seems that the BJP has found out a rather ingenous way to lure the voters as well as make Hindutva as their poll agenda.
The BJP candidates and aspirants have been organizing huge religious congregations where thousands of people, especially the women, are invited and offered gifts. It goes without saying food is also distributed in the name of “prasada” to the participants.
Recently, Bhyrathi Basavaraj organized “Srinivassa Kalyanothsava” at ITI School Grounds where almost 10,000 women had assembled. The event went on for about four hours, starting from Sankalpa, pooja, mangalarathi, offering “bagina” and culminated in the distribution of prasada.
Though, there was no banner or pamphlet or poster of the BJP, the presence of Byrathi Basavaraj was sufficient enough to convey the message.
In the “bagina set” given to the women, there were a reasonably costly saree, blouse piece, haldi, kumkum, bangles, mirror and flowers. No women will refuse to take the ‘holy items’ given on the occasion of a religious function.
Similarly, about a fortnight ago, BJP aspirat for Byatarayanapura Thammesh Gowda had organized Srinivasa Kalyana where almost 6000 women had assembled. Kalakappa Bandi of Ron in Gadag district had organized Girija Kalyana to lure the women voters.
Similar religious congregations are going to be organized by BJP aspirants/candidates throughout the state. While it is going to be Srinivasa Kalyana in Bangalore and Old-Mysore region, it is going to be Girija Kalyana in the North Karnataka region, given the fact that it is Lingayat dominated.
A top leader explained the strategy, “The model code of conduct has not come into force yet. So, these religious congregations are not legally wrong. We intend to prepare the mind and mood of the voters towards BJP through these religious cogregations. This will also enable us to consolidate our Hindu vote bank and make our Hindu identify distinct. We, however, will ensure that the party banner, posters and pamphlets are not distributed in the religious congregations. It is just that the candidate will make a, rather innocuous, appearance on the stage. That is enough to convey the message”
There is a saying in English. “Short of knowledge and long on ingenuity” The BJP seems to have taken this very seriously.
EOM
