The words currently being heard prominently ahead of the GHMC elections is ‘Surgical Strikes’, which was uttered by the Telangana BJP Chief Bandi Sanjay in a verbal war against the TRS and MIM. The words even trended high on Twitter and have even captured the entire campaign. Now, the words are being used by BJP’s rivals to turn the tide in their favour. It seems that Bandi Sanjay himself carried out these ‘surgical strikes’ on the BJP camp. Looks like the term might backfire on the BJP.
Taking advantage of an election by using a particular word over and over again is a very old-fashioned technique. PM Narendra Modi used it more effectively. When his opponents criticized him by calling him a ‘Chai Wala’, he transformed the word into a brand that reflects his personality. Earlier in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mani Shankar Aiyar stated that the Congress would welcome Gujarat CM Modi to sell tea at AICC meetings. This was again well utilised by the BJP to display Congress’ elitist mindset and low regard for the poor, especially highlighting PM Modi’s humble origin as a tea-seller. The same situation is now happening even in Telangana. Wherein BJP’s political rival TRS is campaigning effectively to extract the maximum political mileage from the statements made by Bandi Sanjay.
As a matter of fact, the promise made by the BJP leader to the people of Greater Hyderabad of carrying out surgical strikes on Old City is an insensitive one. Since people have a blind political affiliation, leaders make such statements to polarise voters and mislead them. In fact, there is nothing much the BJP can do even if it assumes power post-elections. These statements are made just to take advantage of Hindu vote bank.
For instance, even if Rohingyas, Pakistanis and Terrorists do stay illegally in a particular place, the Municipal Corporation officials do not have the powers to displace them. It is not possible even if the BJP wins over 100 divisions including the Hyderabad mayor post because law and order aren’t in their jurisdiction. Forget surgical strikes, the Hyderabad Police and GHMC are unable to take action against brats who roam around on two-wheelers, triple riding sans helmets. Even the fake names enlisted in ration cards do not fall under the purview of the GHMC, except for issues related to the drainage system and drinking water supply. So technically speaking, the BJP is helpless.
However, if anti-social elements do reside in the Old City as alleged by the BJP, then it is not necessary to win the GHMC polls. If the Modi led NDA government is sincere and courageous enough, they can go ahead right away. But they won’t, and the issue keeps coming to the fore during every election season. Political parties make such comments just to draw political benefits in elections. Now, if the BJP thinks they can mislead people by making such statements then they have got it totally wrong.
