Modi’s party will likely renew emphasis on caste

Subject

India's ruling party's likely election strategy emphasising caste.

Significance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was last week displaced from government in three of its heartland states by the main opposition Congress party, following elections. The poll results suggest a loss of support for the BJP among rural voters and Dalits (formerly regarded as ‘untouchables’). Ahead of the general election likely in April or May, party President Amit Shah is overseeing the BJP’s strategy.

Impacts

• The BJP will highlight India’s robust quarterly GDP growth figures, claiming good economic management besides engaging in identity politics.
• Opposition parties could highlight the plight of Dalits working as manual scavengers as part of their election campaigns.
• Shah will likely be a future prime ministerial candidate for the BJP.