Former BJP ideologue KN Govindacharya feels that the party should completely dissociate itself from the likes of Subramanium Swamy.
The former all India general secretary of BJP is of the view that a defeat in Uttar Pradesh could severely dent BJP’s 2019 campaign. With an eye on UP polls, BJP’s newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Subramanium Swamy recently sparked a row by raking up the Ram Mandir issue saying, “By end of the year 2016, the BJP-led NDA government will construct Ram Temple in Ayodhya.”
The former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Pracharak said: “The BJP should distance itself from such frivolous statements. The matter is still under the apex court’s observation. Few disputes are there with the land map also..” He told Millennium Post that hurting religious sentiments could cost the party dear in Uttar Pradesh.
After the emphatic Assam mandate, the BJP high command is busy fine-tuning it’s poll strategy for Uttar Pradesh.
The former general secretary describes the Bihar debacle in November 2015, as a rude wake-up call for the party. “The Bihar verdict taught the party hard lessons and exposed weaknesses within.”
The party veteran thinks that the landmark mandate of Assam is the outcome of the introspection and evolution inside the age-old party. However, the complex caste arithmetic in Uttar Pradesh would it make it very challenging for the BJP.
Govindacharya thinks that the party needs to convince both Backwards and Brahmins. The party has appointed backward caste leader Keshavprasad Maurya as state president, and has brought in a prominent Brahmin face, Shiv Pratap Shukla as a Rajya Sabha nominee.
While he was asked about the present equation between RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party, the former Pracharak assured full support from the Sangh to the party.” “ RSS and BJP will work in tandem to ensure victory in Uttar Pradesh,” he added.