PM Modi's strategic strike: Cong falls into caste politics pitfall

BJP's caste census move entangles Congress, deepening divisions within the opposition and reshaping narratives.

- AJIT MAINDOLA

BJP has always had an upper hand in planning and is well-versed with strategies to trap the opposition. The next strategy that BJP has implemented is playing the caste consensus card, and Congress seems to be getting entangled in this very trap.

While the party is celebrating this decision as a major achievement, branding it as a result of Rahul Gandhi's insistence and showcasing it as proof of his leadership for the backward classes, it may ultimately find itself alone on this front. This is because the party's allies also see caste-based politics as their core strategy—something they are unlikely to give up easily.

By organizing a Working Committee meeting and crediting Gandhi, Congress is attempting to portray him as the true leader of the backward communities. However, what the party seems to have overlooked is the timing of the government's announcement. Over the past 11 years, Congress has failed to grasp a fundamental trait of the Modi government: it doesn't make decisions without strategic calculation.

Whether it was demonetization, GST, the abrogation of Article 370, triple talaq, the construction of the Ram Mandir, the amendment to the Waqf Act, or now the caste census—each of these moves was executed with foresight, primarily benefiting the nation and, in turn, the BJP politically.