Omkar Dattatray
Modi is adept and expert in social engineering and has done it well and followed it not only to have won the state elections of the three Hindi heartland states of HP ,Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh but also has eye beyond 2024 on the far off 2029 general elections. At the outset we should know what is social engineering .It is a term which has been used to mean top-down efforts to influence particular attitudes and social behaviors on a large scale-most often undertaken by governments ,but also carried out by media ,academia or private groups-in order to produce desired characteristics in a targeted population Social engineering is most often used by the political parties in India to influence voters and gain elections and Modi is the best social engineer as he is using social engineering to hilt to gain elections Modi goes on to create second rung leadership for not only 2024 but for 2029 as well .In fact Modi spells out social engineering mantra for BJP’s successes beyond 2024.PM Modi gave a mantra for BJP’s successes not only in 2024 but also beyond 2029 in the National Executive Meeting held recently .While all political parties are aiming at the Lok Sabha elections of 2024,the BJP is looking beyond 2029. Recently the executive members were waiting PM Modi to speak more on the current assembly polls ,the PM surprised them all by not talking much on 2024,insteas he did give a peep on the success of BJP beyond 2029.His message was more about bringing people together like reaching out to Muslims ,and communities that have not voted for the saffron party and organizing festivals like Kashi Tamil Sangamam .The prime minister who has great observation and perseverance ,talked about the cultural events like Kashi Tamil Sangamam that helped in achieving unity among the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu to celebrate their cultural ties and religious belongingness .This can eventually help people outgrow the language divide ,which has been so strong ,and the north -south divide that has become a character of politics in southern India.PM Modi stressed on organizing more of such events in other states so that there could be more harmony in the country beyond the language ,caste, religion ,culture and tradition barriers .In the previous national executive meeting held in Telangana ,Modi has asked the party leaders to indulge in social engineering and reach out to sub-castes or backwards in other communities .These are the people that will make a difference if or when a certain community is upset with the party over any issue .With Modi seeking a third term in 2024 ,the BJP is tasked with expansion to communities like Pasmandas and Bohra Muslims .A clear message has emerged from the national executive meeting to expand the party roots by connecting with people from all communities even if they are not BJP voters .Also giving vision for 2029 and beyond depicts Modi has given the result of Lok Sabha election 2024 in BJP’s favor .The party feels that by 2029,it needs to end regional ,caste and linguist divides in the country .Even regional parties will not be a hindrance to the BJP’s vision of Bharat .Once the base is strong party will be able to easily implement ideological agendas that have been on its list since its foundation .The vision of unifying India in true sense is what PM showed to the BJP members in the national executive meeting which was a crucial meeting for the recent state polls ,Lok Sabha elections of 2024 .By moulding the BJP as a force OBC empowerment ,Modi has altered traditional caste configuration to his advantage .Even Modi’s new /present cabinet is the blend of youth ,skills and social engineering .PM Modi has build his new cabinet with an eye on state elections and to reach out to socially and economically deprived sections. The new union council of ministers has more representation from socially and economically backward communities ,women and people with administrative and legislative experience but above all it is based on social engineering and embraces social engineering .The new team has been built with an eye on the state elections and in line with the party’s outreach towards the socially and economically deprived sections ,part of the BJP’s social engineering strategy and it has brought the desired fruits to the BJP as it won the crucial assembly elections also on the basis of social engineering strategy .There are 27 ministers from 19 other backward class (OBC’s ) spread across 15 states ,there are eight ministers from scheduled tribes (ST) from across seven communities and eight states and there are 12 ministers from scheduled castes (SC) from across 12 communities and eight states .The former MP and spokesperson Bizay Sonkar Shastri said, ”The BJP walks the talk on inclusivity .We choose to go with the constitutional definition of who can be defined as a minority .While the opposition parties only consider Muslims as minorities ,It is probably for the first time that proper representation has been given to all communities .”The BJP’s success in many states has come from consolidating the traditionally fragmented Hindu vote across OBCs and by appealing to SCs /STs .The BJP’s mantra is Sabka Saath ,Sabka Vikas,and Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas ,By giving proportionate representation to OBCs ,SC,s and ST,s in the council of ministers we have followed our mantra. The decision also gives people confidence that PM Modi believes in social justice and when given a chance delivers too .,”said Shastri who is also a former chairman of national commission for SC and ST.BJP’s social engineering worries congress .On ground ,BJP works to woo Dalits ,OBCs by handing key posts to them .The developments in Hindi heartland states over the past few months is being seen as a concerted attempt to chip away at caste combinations that are held as key voter base of opposition congress .SP and BSP. In what is seen as an attempt to counter the opposition’s allegations that BJP -led NDA government is against reservations ,the saffron party is giving representation to leaders from ST,SC and OBC communities in selection for the appointment of governors as well as Raj Sabha and legislative councils in the states ruled by BJP .In short Modi is following social engineering in letter and spirit and it has shown the desired results in winning state assembly elections in three Hindi heartland states of Chhattisgarh ,Rajasthan and MP.
(The author is a columnist,
social and KP activist).