With the inauguration of Ayodhya Ram Mandir scheduled in January and the Abu Dhabi Hindu temple in February, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said BJP has forgotten its poll promises and the party will now revert to its core message of Hindutva politics for 2024 polls.
Tharoor charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP have forgotten its poll promises like ‘achhe din’ and two crore jobs a year. Tharoor tweeted, “So Prime Minister @NarendraModi will inaugurate the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22nd and the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14th. I expect elections to be called very soon thereafter. The message is clear.”
The Thiruvananthapuram MP said while 2009 polls was fought presenting Narendra Modi as “Avatar” of economic development and 2019 over national security, Modi as ‘ Hindu Hriday Samrat’ will be the major poll plank of BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. “In 2009, Mr Modi was sold to the Indian electorate as the avatar of economic development, the CEO of Gujarat Inc., who would bring development to all Indians. In 2019, with that narrative collapsing in the wake of the disastrous demonetisation, the Pulwama terrorist attack gave Mr Modi the opportunity to convert the general election into a national security election. In 2024, it is clear the BJP will now revert to its core message and offer Narendra Modi to the nation as a Hindu Hriday Samrat,” Tharoor tweeted.
Tharoor questioned, “What happened to achhe din? What happened to 2 crore jobs a year? What happened to economic growth that would benefit the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder? What happened to putting disposable income into the pockets and bank accounts of every Indian? These questions will have to be debated in an election that is shaping up to be Hindutva versus popular welfare.”
While the Congress party is yet to decide on attending Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Tharoor on Thursday said religious faith is a personal matter and should not be seen politically, or misused politically. The Congress leader added he hopes each of the invitees is left free to make a personal choice.