By Vivek Tripathi
Lucknow, Nov 12 (IANS) The Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case will have a far reaching effect on the politics in Uttar Pradesh. This judgement has not only changed the political direction, but will also affect the position of the major political players.
After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) became an untouchable for the Muslim community. And, this situation was used by the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress. But now, after the acceptance of the verdict by the Muslim community, the vital luring plank gets a quiet burial. The challenge is for the SP, BSP and the Congress to think of new ways to attract the Muslim community.
For the BJP, the issue will help them politically in future also. It will try to keep the issue alive till the 2020 Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Right from laying the foundation stone to the inauguration, the big events that the BJP will hold is giving jitters to the opposition in the state.
The Congress which has been hoping for a revival in the state will have a tough time keeping its Muslim vote bank intact.
The SP too is being cautious and is weighing the emerging situation to formulate new strategies. It is keeping a tab on the Muslim community which has been zealously voting for the party after the Babri Masjid demolition. A section of the SP feels that it should aggressively take up the Muslim view.
Senior political analyst Premshankar Mishra said: “The opposition has faced the brunt by reacting on such an emotional issue. The Supreme Court has given the verdict and emotions are hugely connected with this judgement. So, the opposition will have to be very cautious.
“Their statements should be in a way which is in support of the SC decision but not endorsing the BJP view. In case they react whimsically, then the BJP is going to take advantage. The opposition will have to search for new issues now.”
BJP spokesperson Chandramohan said: “It is an issue of national importance. So we fought on the issue. The opposition is doing the politics of religion and communalism. Now, they are really unnerved after the verdict. Our motto is ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwas’.”
–IANS
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