2019 polls: Here's how minority communities' support is crucial for BJP

The BJP is hopeful that the bill will be passed by Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

2019 polls
New Delhi: BJP National President Amit Shah | Photo: PTI

Amid signs of increasing opposition unity ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls, the BJP hopes to consolidate its support base with a mix of plank and the agenda on the back of its all-out support to bills linked to and a campaign against

BJP president has been constantly raising the issue to corner the opposition by projecting his party as the one batting for security while the rivals concerned with their vote-banks.

The saffron party is also working overtime to ensure that the support it had received from sections of Dalits and in the 2014 elections remains by and large intact in 2019, despite the reverses it suffered during several bypolls in states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Party managers said the introduction in the Lok Sabha of a bill, that seeks to overturn a Supreme Court order that had "diluted" a law on atrocities against Dalits, will boost their efforts to win over sections of the community.

The community's support is crucial to the BJP's fortunes in UP where arch-rivals SP and BSP have joined hands to take it on.

The BJP had won 71 and its ally Apna Dal two of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and a united opposition, many believe, has made the prospect of a repeat of such a feat rather difficult.

The BJP is hopeful that the bill will be passed by Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session which ends on August 10.

It is banking on another legislation to strengthen its support among OBCs.

The Lok Sabha last week passed a bill that seeks to confer constitutional status on an OBC commission, giving it powers at par with commissions for Dalits and tribals.

The BJP has been projecting the bill as a proof of its commitment to the community.

A party leader said all these issues will find a mention in its national executive meeting scheduled to be held on August 18-19 here.

First Published: Sun, August 05 2018. 14:14 IST