Why did the BJP fail in Kerala?

The reasons for that failure lie in how Kerala voted. Most people in the state voted strategically, with textbook precision, to defeat the BJP. Much like immune cells that converge to check the effects of a foreign toxin in the body, Kerala voters coordinated to neutralise the electoral effects of Hindutva politics in the state.

Can the BJP replicate the Hindutva experiment in Kerala?

The BJP could not get a single candidate elected in the state and could increase its vote share by only two points to 12.93\%. Credit: Reuters This election cycle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala followed the standard protocol to replicate the Hindutva experiment that had catalysed the party’s rapid rise in the north.

What is BJP’s ‘game plan’ in Sabarimala?

The “ game plan ,” as the state BJP president explained to his foot soldiers, was to exploit the court-sanctioned entry of women to Sabarimala temple as a “ golden opportunity ” to mobilise Hindu voters in the state.

How did voters in Kerala deal with the exigency of Hindutva?

The voters in Kerala acted on their own to deal with the exigency of the Hindutva experiment. There was no mahagathbandhan or grand coalition congregating voters against the BJP in the state – and the cacophony of the media was pulling the voters in different directions.

Will BJP break its electoral Jinx with sabrimala storm failure?

The saffron party failed to bag a single seat belying expectations that this time around it will break its electoral jinx by riding on the Sabrimala storm that had touched a raw nerve with a section of Hindus in the state. For BJP, it is a wake-up call in Kerala.

What is the BJP’s stance on Sabarimala?

BJP and the CPM respectively organized mass protests and counter protests to use the issue for electoral gains, but the dividend went to the Congress. The grand old party adopted a crafty stance towards Sabarimala; the state leaders backed the protesting Hindus while the central leadership rooted for gender equality.

Is sabrimala temple a wake-up call for BJP in Kerala?

For BJP, it is a wake-up call in Kerala. The party cannot win the state boasting of unique demography and cultural milieu with conventional politics. While Sabrimala temple issue worked against the CPM, the BJP failed to milk the controversy and the Congress became the beneficiary by default.

Is Vijayan trying to stir up religious tension in Kerala?

Even as the final votes were still being counted, Mr Vijayan, who himself won the Dharmadom constituency in Kannur by a huge margin today, attacked the NDA saying it was trying to stir up religious strife in the state long known for its social harmony. “Kerala is not a place for the BJP.