Madhya Pradesh does not have a history of voting based on communal issues. The communally sensitive issues rarely get support of masses. In the past, elections in the state have shown that the five crore plus voters of the state are guided more by caste and other region specific issues.
Two days back, BJP released a video of Congress State president Kamal Nath asking Muslim leaders in a closed-door meeting to vote for his party. However the video did not generate any interest of masses and was rejected by people as a “usual poll gimmick”. Initially Congress was worried about the fallout of the video as it may lead to polarisation on communal lines, a Congress strategist said.
However, earlier last week BJP’s spokesperson Sambit Patra has released a similar video with communal connotations. Former BJP State president Prabhat Jha said that “such videos are example enough of Congress' policy to create communal unrest.’’ In order to generate hype, many leaders spoke about the video and a senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain even went to Election Commission with a complaint.
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Among the masses, the video did not have any negative impact for Congress. But, the party is worried about (Vishwa Hindu Parishad)-organised Ayodhya march on November 25. A party leader said that they are keeping a close watch on the unfolding of Ayodhya Ram Temple issue which BJP has recently promoted through organisations it is affable with.
Congress president's visit to temples and soft Hindutva approach of Kamal Nath has also neutralized the 'pro-minority' image of Congress. Over the last five years Congress leaders consciously worked to get rid of the image. PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) office saw Ganesha idol being installed and leaders performing everyday puja.
The other important reason for state not being driven by communal considerations is because just seven per cent of the population belong to the minority community. Madhya Pradesh has witnessed two communal riots— one in 1967 in Jabalpur and in 1992 during Ayodhya controversy. However in the assembly polls held after the riots Congress won.
Congress state presidnet Kamal Nath said “BJP is trying to divide people on religious lines but people have become far mature now and real issues are in their minds”.