The BJP success in the State of Karnataka brings to the fore whether it can make inroads into other South Indian States. In Tamil Nadu the party does not seem to have built a good cadre unlike Karnataka.It needs to do this in a big way.If it has to beat the Dravidian parties it has to fashion a an alternative platform.In TN the BJP has no space.So a strong ideology in this State is a must and it has to be inclusive of Hindus,Christians and Muslims.The Hindu revival in TN despite the so called atheism of the DMK has to be capitalized on.Cannot see this happen without strong leadership at State level which it lacks.So too in Kerala where it has a better chance of consolidating.Surprising BJP has not gained in AP.As it stands Karnataka seems like a flash in the pan.
RE:Re:Lessons for BJP in the South
by Kris iyer on May 29, 2008 10:38 PM Permalink
Yes, John Bosco, you are right in your assessment. BJP has to build cadres of Hindus, christians and muslims, especially, in the rural areas of TamilNadu and Andhra. It may be easier to convince the Hindu and Christian youth that a BJP govt., in TamilNadu would be better than the Dravidian party govts who have ruled TNadu since 1967. There is a feeling of weariness among the Hindus and Christians in TNadu. But not among muslims. They are happy with the DMK govt., because they perceive it as anti-Hindu or "secular" - the same thing. Gulf and Malaysian money has made muslims stronger in some rural areas. By purchasing lands and houses, they have spread to areas where they were totally absent 20 years ago. In jewellery shops in T'Nagar in Chennai and other towns, almost 30% of the buyers are muslims. Almost all wear the full veil. Always in Black. There are strong political parties entirely muslim based. The Muslim M.K., The Tauheed Jumma and another party I forget the name of. They take the law into their own hands in cases like the Aurangazeb exhibition and when they attacked a Christian school in Alampakkam near Chennai. It is likely that they would attack BJP cadres. They will resist the spread of the BJP in TamilNadu. Therefore, it is going to be very difficult for the BJP. It may take some more years yet to increase their influence. Tamils will have to live with some form of "Dravidian" party govt., in the near future.
