Modi’s managers working on 2-pronged Muslim strategy

New Delhi/ Bhopal: The BJP is working on a two-pronged strategy to project an “all-inclusive” face of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on the one hand while on the other polarise voters along the communal lines in states like UP and Bihar where it suits the party.

The two-pronged strategy will differ from state to state. On the surface, the party wants to project Modi as a leader of Atal Behari Vajpayee’s stature, acceptable to all communities and classes.

This strategy applies particularly to states where there is a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP and where the party is seen as a viable alternative to the Congress. Sources say that BJP’s managers are tasked with a total image makeover for their prime ministerial candidate so that the 2002 Gujarat riots appear like a distant memory.

Sources say that as part of this strategy, Modi’s managers are ensuring the presence of a large number of Muslims in almost every rally that Modi has addressed so far. The party apparatus is working overtime to ensure huge presence of Muslims at the September 25 Bhopal rally and September 29 Delhi rally of its prime ministerial candidate.

Showcasing Muslims at Modi’s rallies is a well thought out strategy. The idea is to project Modi as a secular and seasoned candidate fit for the top job just like the BJP’s lone prime minister, Atal behari Vajpayee. In fact, insiders say that Modi’s image builders have even studied Atal Behari Vajpayee’s mannerisms while delivering speeches in detail.

They give their inputs to Modi accordingly. However, while efforts are afoot to refurbish Modi’s image, the BJP’s strategists are also working on polarising voters along the communal lines in states like UP and Bihar, where the party is pitted against its rivals in a multi-cornered contest.

The BJP spin doctors feel that polarising voters in a multi-cornered contest will help the party. While this plan will not be revealed on surface, the undercurrent of polarisation will be very strong, as was seen in the build up of the Muzaffarnagar riots.

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