The redevelopment of Ayodhya into a temple town involved the demolition of thousands of homes and stores, with some locals being dissatisfied with the compensation offered. BJP supporters were among those disgruntled with the compensation, with claims that BJP leaders did not value their votes and were unresponsive to their concerns. This situation was highlighted in a magazine by Ratan Sharda, a senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological parent, who described it as a “reality check” for the party.
Despite these challenges, the BJP maintains several sources of strength, including a popular leader, control of the Uttar Pradesh state government, and support from the RSS. However, analysts like Sanjay Kumar of CSDS noted that the BJP thrived in states where there was no strong local party like the SP in Uttar Pradesh, which was able to capitalize on regional discontent. Furthermore, while the Congress party attempted to frame the BJP as a threat to affirmative action, caste-based messaging had less resonance in urbanizing India where class identities were more prominent.
The BJP’s resilience was also demonstrated through its response to the loss in Ayodhya, with a party worker expressing confidence in winning state elections in Uttar Pradesh by 2027. The party indicated that it had initiated a detailed review of the situation to learn from their defeat. Delhi University professor Chandrachur Singh highlighted that the BJP’s performance was strong in states without a strong local party presence, attributing their success to factors such as the leadership of Narendra Modi and support from the RSS. The BJP worker in Ayodhya spoke to Reuters about the party’s approach of either winning or learning from their experiences.
Despite the challenges faced in Ayodhya and concerns raised by locals regarding compensation and responsiveness of BJP leaders, the party’s strengths such as popular leadership and organizational support continue to bolster its position. The BJP’s ability to adapt and respond to losses like in Ayodhya, as shown through their post-election review process, indicates a proactive approach to addressing issues and improving their electoral strategies. The insights shared by analysts and party workers suggest that the BJP remains a formidable force in Indian politics, orchestrating a nuanced response to changing political landscapes and challenges.
