‘Lack of opposition: Why some moderate Hindus in India vote for the BJP

They also cite ruling party’s welfare plans, PM Modis popularity at home and abroad

- Debarshi Dasgupta

NEW DELHI - Donning a fake pearl necklace with a pendant of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, Mr Naresh Kumar was one among a throng of people tailing a pickup truck decked in strings of marigold flowers.

Riding on the truck through the crammed Chirag Dilli neighbourhood in Delhi was a man dressed up as Hanuman - his limbs covered in faux fur, despite the intense summer heat - along with Mr Saurabh Bharadwaj, a top leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

This procession, on the day of the Hanuman Jayanti festival on April 23, was an attempt by the political party which governs Delhi and Punjab to woo Hindu voters in the ongoing Indian general election by co-opting religious symbolism in its public outreach.

"I am a Hindu, I would like Hindu-related issues to be brought up (by political parties)," said Mr Kumar, 34, amid the din of religious songs accompanying the procession.

"But basic work should also be done and people's concerns addressed," he told The Straits Times.

Mr Kumar, who works in a logistics firm, is considering switching loyalties from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to AAP this time as Delhi votes on May 25 because of what he described as the latter's better governance record.

"A country cannot progress only on the basis of religion," he added.

Since being elected to power in 2014, the BJP has expanded its Hindu support base with a mix of welfare schemes and development work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's widespread popularity has helped grow the party's appeal further among Hindus, who make up around 80 per cent of the Indian population.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are playing up their Hindu identity to prove, as Mr Bharadwaj said, "we are better Hindus (than the BJP)" and ensure they are not left behind in the electoral race.