Minhaj Merchant’s column – It is important for the ruling party to learn some lessons of politics. Minhaj Merchant’s column: It is important for the ruling party to learn some lessons of politics

Minhaj Merchant, Author, Publisher and Editor

Last time, eight suggestions were given to the opposition in this column. I got a lot of emails on this, some negative comments too. Our reader Mahendra Kumar Joshi wrote: ‘Today’s article is not only written at the right time but also gives important lessons of politics to the opposition.’ Another reader Vijay Parashar said: ‘It would have been better if you had given suggestions to the government also.’ So here are eight lessons for the government.

First lesson: Do not ‘import’ those leaders from the opposition who have many cases registered against them. For example NCP’s Ajit Pawar. He had publicly said that the Center had mentally ‘tortured’ him for ten years over his alleged role in the Rs 72,000 crore irrigation scam. Then Ajit divided NCP and joined the NDA faction. The irrigation scam has since been buried.

Such cover-ups have become common to improve the image of opposition leaders. Similarly, many TMC leaders have also been put in the BJP’s ‘washing machine’. Their cases have been miraculously closed. The same was done with Congress leader Ashok Chavan.

Chavan, accused in the Adarsh ​​scam, is now a Rajya Sabha member from BJP. The ideal case is closed. Washing away the old sins of opposition leaders may prove costly for the BJP. Despite BJP’s objection, scam-accused NCP leader Nawab Malik has been given ticket in Maharashtra. If a hung assembly is formed in Maharashtra on November 23, then Ajit can again meet uncle Sharad Pawar. Can ask for Chief Minister’s post in return.

Second lesson: Do not use ED, CBI and other agencies to harass opposition leaders. This not only destroys the credibility of the agencies among the public, but it is also believed that they are used to trap politicians and not to reach any conclusion.

Third lesson: Do not copy the dynastic agenda of the opposition. Fortunately, there is no dynasty issue in the case of Narendra Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar. Dynastic politics ignores merit and promotes those with average ability. Having Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka in Parliament at the same time does not present a good picture of Indian democracy.

Fourth lesson: Despite being in power for more than 10 years, the BJP still wants recognition from those who despise it. This also includes the old eco-system of social workers, lawyers, journalists. Control the narrative yourself by appointing youth media advisors instead.

Lesson Five: Reshape the legal team. BJP is slow to react when defamed by the opposition. The highest earning lawyers in the country are in the opposition camp, this is a big failure of the BJP. Sixth lesson: Do not convert everything into Hindu-Muslim issue.

The opposition has adopted a policy of Muslim appeasement because it cannot give a tough fight in the elections without the minorities. But ignoring 80 percent Hindu voters for 20 percent minority votes is a failed strategy.

The India Alliance was able to win 234 seats in the Lok Sabha elections because regional allies divided the Hindu votes. Muslims remain a backward community because they were not empowered by giving them education in science, mathematics, engineering, business management. India’s top 100 startups have 0 Muslim founders, while the proportion of Muslims in jail is 35 percent. Fake secular parties are cheating Muslims.

Lesson Seven: Don’t fall prey to the mentality of pulling each other down. When Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, ‘If we divide, we will be cut’, some BJP leaders started criticizing him. Learn unity from opposition leaders.

Eighth Lesson: Narendra Modi will turn 78 in 2029. Trump, who is going to start his second term as US President, is also of the same age. Even if the BJP-led NDA achieves a fourth consecutive victory in 2029, it will likely be Modi’s last term as PM. When Modi turns 83 in 2034, the party will have to turn to other leaders. Now the time has come to prepare such leaders.

Do not ‘import’ those leaders from the opposition who have many cases registered against them. Many opposition leaders have been put in the BJP’s ‘washing machine’. Their cases have been miraculously closed. This can be overwhelming.

(These are the author’s own views)