Lok Sabha polls: Why Sadhvi Pragya Thakur may lose her debut election

BJP candidate for Bhopal constituency, Pragya Thakur who is an accused in the Malegaon terror blast case and is currently out on bail, is hoping to enter the parliament by defeating Congress stalwart Digvijay Singh.

To get her ticket to the parliament confirmed, Sadhvi left no stone unturned to polarise the election along religious lines, but she has not succeeded on her attempts. The situation on the ground suggests that Pragya may lose her debut election.

When asked why, a student of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism, Bhopal told NH, “People are fed up with her Hindu-Muslim jugglery.”

“She has nothing new to say except communally charged statements. But people in Bhopal want an atmosphere of peace where all can live together and do their job freely,” said a school teacher.

Many believe that, Digvijay Singh, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, who returned to electoral politics after 10 years of vanvas (self-exile), will not only win his seat but also affect the results in the surrounding areas. His fighting the Lok Sabha election from Bhopal, is being seen as a booster by many in the party.

Here are some of the reasons that explain why Pragya may lose her debut election:

Internal feud: The first and foremost reason being cited for Pragya Thakur’s possible defeat is the feud within the saffron party.

Contrary to media reports and perception in Delhi, local BJP leaders in Bhopal have turned rebel against the party high command’s decision to field Pragya from the prestigious seat as they (local BJP leaders) consider her a liability.

“Local BJP leaders actually do not want Pragya to win the election as they consider her to be an outsider and a liability for the party,” said a senior journalist who has covered the state politics for decades.

According to this journalist, though former BJP MP from Bhopal, Alok Sanjar, is canvassing for Sadhvi, there are reports of backstabbing as well.

Apparently, Uma Bharti who won the seat in 1999 was not happy with high-command’s choice to field Pragya Thakur. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also watching the match from a safe distance, said an observer.

Marathi community drifting away: As per an estimate, there are over two lakh Marathi voters in the constituency. Pragya Thakur’s remark about late Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare has not gone down well with the community.

An observer said, the Marathi community has always stood behind the BJP, but this time they may drift away from the saffron outfit as they have taken an offence to her statement.

A Marathi businessman told NH that Marathi speaking people were not happy with the BJP since the time of the Maratha reservation stir. Pragya’s comment has rubbed salt into their wounds.

Sadhus turn against Sadhvi: Saffron clad Sanyasis who enjoy influence among a section of Hindus, have also turned against Sadhvi Pragya in Bhopal.

Questioning Sadhvi Pragya’s credibility as a Sadhvi, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vairagya Anand issued a statement against Pragya and demanded proof of her supposed sainthood.

“Sadhvi Pragya is self-proclaimed Sadhvi. She never talks about her guru. She must tell people which Akhara has granted her sainthood?” asked Vairag Anand.

Observers believe that Sadhus turning against Sadhvi will dent Pragya’s image in the election.

RSS not happy with the Sadhvi: Though, the parent organisation of the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is trying to put a united show before the electorates but Pragya’s erratic, irresponsible behavior has upset the top brasses so much that many of them have decided to leave Pragya to her fate.

“She has become a liability. They (RSS) are finding it difficult to defend her. She has been barred from campaigning despite which she campaigned under the guise of a temple visit. How will the RSS, which still poses to be a torch bearer of the Hindu morality defend her?” asked a journalist cum activist during a heated debate at a tea-stall.

BJP’s double standard on terrorism: “Modi’s much touted policy of zero tolerance against terrorists and terrorism got exposed on the same day when BJP announced Pragya Thakur as their candidate,” said Parikshit Singh, a retired bureaucrat.

According to Singh, perhaps BJP also has a sense that it’s duplicity on terrorism got exposed, that is why they are talking more about Pakistan, and not about home-grown terror.

Congress is united: The grand old party which is seen as a divide house by many in Delhi, has put all its strength and cadres together to win the election.

“Buoyed by win in the assembly elections, party cadres and leaders are fighting the Lok Sabha election with an aim to defeat the ‘Modified’ BJP. It is a do or die situation for the Congress party. They cannot afford to lose this election. They have to win for the sake of their survival,” explained an observer.

Anti BJP vote will not be divided: Unlike assembly elections where anti-BJP votes were divided between many stakeholders such as AAP and the SP, BSP, in the current Lok Sabha polls, anti Modi votes will not be divided.

BSP, AAP has not fielded candidates from the Bhopal constituency paving way for the Congress victory. Besides, as an observer remarked, about four lakh Muslims will also play a decisive role, in the defeat of Sadhvi Pragya from Bhopal.