Signs of shift in BJP's polls strategy amid concern over voter apathy

Indian PM Modi accused of doubling down on hate speech in bid to woo Hindu votes

- Nirmala Ganapathy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech, saying that the rival Congress Party favours Muslim "infiltrators" who would be given India's wealth if his opponents gained power, has sparked criticism that the popular leader is doubling down on hate speech to whip up religious sentiment and woo voters from the majority Hindu community.

The Indian Prime Minister's hard-hitting and divisive words have set off a political storm, with the opposition party asking the Election Commission to disqualify Mr Modi.

Analysts say there appears to be a slight calibration of election strategy by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the second phase of elections, after a lower-than-expected voter turnout of 62 per cent in the first phase.

India's seven-phase election is spread out over 44 days, with the first phase of voting on April 19 and the second on April 26. The polls run through to June 1, and votes will be counted on June 4.

Political observers said a dip in voter turnout during the first phase may have triggered worries about voter apathy affecting the BJP's ambitious goal of reaching a record majority. "It's a very low-decibel election.

Voter turnout has been affected and is low. Only thing one can surmise is that (voter turnout) has them (BJP) worried.

They are going back to a time-tested line of polarisation," said journalist, columnist and political commentator Neerja Chowdhury.

"What is significant is the stridency of the Prime Minister's tone. It is the Prime Minister who is leading this charge." Addressing voters in Rajasthan state on April 21, Mr Modi said that Congress - the biggest opposition party - wanted to redistribute wealth to "those who have many children" and to "infiltrators".