Click to play videoNew Delhi: Terrorism was the big campaign issue for the BJP in these assembly elections elections. In speech after speech BJP leaders emphasised that the Congress-led government could not tackle terrorism because of its so-called vote bank politics.
But this rather divisive message has been decisively rejected by the Indian voter.
Rajasthan went to polls almost a week after the attack in Mumbai and chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was quick to play it up.
She put out adverts in the print and electronic media, asking people not to vote for the party at the Centre.
But when the votes were counted on December 8, it was clear the voters they had other priorities.
In fact it was not just in Rajasthan but also in Delhi where BJP went to town on the terror issue. Delhi BJP issued ads accusing Cong government of being 'weak and incapable' within 24 hours of the Mumbai attack.
But again when the results were announced it was the more understated, two-time incumbent Sheila Dikshit who emerged the victor. Issues that topped the priority list were regularisation of over 1,400 unauthorised colonies, the Metro rail project , CNGTransport system and the BRT.
“You should not politicise terror, when our country is facing terrorism we must stand together,” she said after winning.
But while BJP paid a price for its media blitzkrieg in Delhi and Rajasthan, it managed to retain two other states.
In Madhya Pradesh, Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan focussed on eye catching schemes like Laxmi Ladlee and Kanyadaan, programmes for the girl child.
“People voted for us because of our development agenda. I am not another Narendra Modi,” Chouhan said.
In Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh had a dual strategy too, giving away rice at Rs 3 per kg and at the same time taking a hardline stand against Naxals.
In fact BJP has fared best in the areas worst hit by Naxal violence.
Interestingly, in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the lack of personality driven campaigns also fit well with the ' Organisation first ' ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, not surprisingly the Saffron unity was much more visible in these two central Indian states than anywhere else.
While the Congress may have walked away with a 3-2 victory in the so called semi-final, there are lessons for all parties to be learnt before the finals on what to say and also what not to say.
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