Opinion | Nationalism And Elections: BJP Understands, Opposition Still Doesn’t

In 1989, when people ‘defected’ to vote the Indian National Congress government out, leading to a minority National Front government, there were loud cheers of hope against electoral totalitarianism in Indian democracy. The incumbent Rajiv Gandhi government gave way to a ragtag coalition with no declaration of a definitive prime ministerial candidate. It was speculated that the longevity of this coalition would alter India’s politics. The ninth Lok Sabha was seen as the culmination of what political scientist Francine R. Frankel called the ‘gradual revolution’. 

It was the moment when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made its commitment to ‘Hindu secularism’ clear, sharpening the biggest weapon in its armoury: nationalism. The timing could not have been better. Secessionist voices began to gain momentum in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Crafting a new national identity for India became the BJP’s raison d’etre. Within half a century, they have made significant strides in this direction. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his journey to his third consecutive term, let’s examine how nationalism became the vehicle that conveyed to the BJP electoral support across religious, regional, and caste lines.