Paswan’s remarks on RSS more to do with his own political survival
Patna,(BiharTimes): Though Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday came down heavily on RSS over controversial comments made by its publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya on reservation, there is no dearth of people within the Sangh Parivar who feels that his remarks was made keeping in the mind the upper caste voters of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
While Ram Vilas acused the RSS of deliberately harming the poll prospect of the NDA first in Bihar in 2015 after its chief Mohan Bhagwat sought review of reservation and now in UP when Vaidya raised almost the same issue yet the truth, according to an insider is that, the RSS leader is not such a fool to repeat the same mistake twice.
While those backing Ram Vilas are of the view that the RSS is trying to cut to size prime minister Narendra Modi and has repeatedly been raising the issue of reservation on the eve of the Assembly elections, yet many others feel that the situation of Bihar and UP should not be mixed.
UP has a much higher upper caste votes than Bihar and till recently the BJP was quite confident of getting the votes of Brahmins, Rajputs, Tyagis, Kayasthas and Jats, besides that of the trading communities.
But several factors went against it and there is nervousness in the BJP camp. The decision to demonetize Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and also to lift restrictions on wheat import turned many core supporters away from the BJP. The hardcore BJP supporters may not cross over to vote to SP or BSP, but they may not turn out enthusiastically to vote for the saffron party. This may cost it dearly in the three-way cut-throat competition for votes.
In the past the Bahujan Samaj Party used to get some Brahmin votes, thanks to Mayawati’s dexterous move to woo them.
Similarly, the way Akhillesh Yadav has cultivated his image and his alliance with the Congress may help attract some upper caste voters. If this happens the BJP would be a loser. Vaidya’s statement is seen on this line.
So why then Ram Vilas raised his voice? Bihar watchers are of the view that LJP leader’s statement has more to do with his own politics. As most of the ministers of the Narendra Modi cabinet, especially of Bihar, has virtually become redundant Ram Vilas is finding himself left high and dry. His party could win only two seats in the 2015 Assembly election. He has lost his bargaining position and media hardly gives any coverage to him.
As Grand Alliance laders, like Lalu Yadav, has made a political capital out of Vaidya’s remarks LJP boss was bound to come out against RSS, if he wants to survive in Bihar politics.
Patna,(BiharTimes): Though Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan