Organizational view of Political Parties in India

Why Congress lost Haryana Assembly Election 2024  The 2024 Haryana Assembly Election delivered surprising results, with the Congress Party initially predicted to win, losing to the BJP. Several factors contributed to this unexpected outcome, including internal divisions, voter mismanagement, and the BJP’s strategic use of these weaknesses. A significant reason was the internal factionalism within the Congress, particularly regarding ticket distribution. Kumari Selja, one of the most prominent Dalit leaders in the Haryana Congress, was marginalized during the candidate selection process. This exclusion was driven by the dominance of the Hooda camp, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Despite her influence and the importance of Dalit votes in the state, the high command of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, failed to address these internal conflicts or intervene in the decision-making process. This led to growing dissatisfaction within Dalit communities, which comprise around 20% of Haryana’s population and have significant sway over nearly half of the state’s assembly constituencies. Congress should remember it’s not Chamcha Yuga The Congress leadership’s failure to address the concerns of Dalit leaders and voters created an opening for the BJP. The BJP strategically pushed a narrative that Congress was sidelining Dalit leaders like Kumari Selja, which effectively worked in a key segment of the electorate. The BJP’s IT and ground teams worked to amplify this message, particularly in Dalit and lower OBC communities, highlighting Congress’ neglect of social justice in action despite its rhetoric at the national level. This narrative gained traction, particularly among Dalit youth, who were increasingly vocal about their political representation and leadership. This voter shift proved crucial. While Congress and the BJP secured nearly equal vote shares, the Congress lost a disproportionate number of seats due to poor ticket distribution and the alienation of key voter blocs, particularly Dalits. The emergence of figures like Chandrashekhar, who energized Dalit youth and gave them a sense of leadership and representation, further weakened Congress’ appeal in these communities. In the campaign’s final stretch, this shift became evident, as Dalit votes that had traditionally favoured Congress began to move towards the BJP. The Rise of Non-dominant Caste Politics  Second, Another crucial factor in the BJP’s success in the 2024 Haryana Assembly Election is its consistent strategy of mobilizing non-dominant castes in Indian states. In the 2024 Haryana Assembly Election, the BJP dominated non-Jat regions like the Punjabi belt, GT Road, and Ahirwal, winning most of the 50-55 seats there. Meanwhile, Congress performed well in Jat and Muslim-majority areas, such as Mewat and the Bagar-Bangar belt, securing victories in 35-40 seats. This reflects the continued influence of caste and regional dynamics in Haryana’s politics. This approach has been central to the BJP’s electoral victories across various states, beginning with Gujarat, where the party effectively rallied non-Patel communities. In Maharashtra, it focused on non-Maratha voters; in Haryana, it successfully mobilized non-Jat groups. The BJP framed its narrative against Congress, accusing it of favouring only two dominant groups—Jats and Muslims—while neglecting the larger OBC, upper caste, and Dalit populations. This narrative resonated strongly, leading to the consolidation of these groups under the BJP’s banner. Never Underestimate the Power of Present BJP  Third, Another reason for Congress’ defeat was its overconfidence and failure to assess the current strength of the BJP accurately. After performing well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by securing 99 seats nationally and winning five Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, Congress assumed it would easily replicate this success in the state assembly elections. However, it underestimated the BJP’s professional election management on the ground and through social media. The BJP’s well-organized booth-level strategies and targeted social media campaigns gave it a significant edge, catching Congress off guard and contributing to its loss. Conclusion In conclusion, the Congress Party’s defeat in the 2024 Haryana Assembly Election can be attributed to internal dysfunction, strategic missteps, and underestimating the BJP’s election machinery. Factionalism within Congress, particularly the sidelining of key leaders like Kumari Selja, alienated critical voter blocs such as the Dalits, leading to a significant loss of support. Meanwhile, the BJP capitalized on this internal discord by successfully mobilizing non-dominant castes and framing Congress as a party that favoured only the Jat and Muslim communities. Additionally, Congress’ overconfidence after its success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections led it to underestimate the BJP’s ground-level election management, including its effective use of social media and booth strategies. These factors combined to deliver a decisive victory for the BJP and a surprising loss for Congress.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)and Indian PM Modi have adeptly harnessed the power of social media to propagate its ideological and policy-driven narratives, reshaping political engagement and governance in India. From the early days in Gujarat (2001-2014) under Narendra Modi’s leadership to its national governance post-2014, the BJP’s strategic use of digital platforms has significantly influenced public perception and policy awareness. This blog explores how the BJP utilized social media to promote its Hindutva ideology alongside welfare policies, fostering a narrative of inclusive development and Hindutva cultural pride. Gujarat: Hindutva and Development (2001-2014) Integrating Ideology with DevelopmentDuring Narendra Modi’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the BJP seamlessly integrated Hindutva principles with a developmental agenda. Social media played a crucial role in this integration, with platforms like Twitter and Facebook being used to showcase Modi’s involvement in religious events and the state’s progress. Visual narratives of Hindu cultural events were intertwined with infrastructure projects and economic growth updates, presenting a balanced view of Gujarat’s advancement.Navigating ChallengesDespite facing challenges such as polarization and criticism from various quarters, the BJP maintained a narrative of inclusivity and balanced progress. Social media channels were used to address controversies promptly, ensuring that the party’s messages of unity and development reached a broad audience. Real-time updates and engaging content helped mitigate negative perceptions and highlighted the state’s achievements. National Scale: Blending Welfare and Ideology (2014-2023) Promoting Welfare SchemesUpon transitioning to national governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued leveraging social media to promote public policies and welfare programs. Initiatives like #SabkaSaathSabkaVikas epitomized the party’s vision of harmonizing Hindutva values with diverse citizen needs. Social media platforms facilitated awareness campaigns about key welfare initiatives, fostering transparency and enabling direct communication between the government and the public. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Mission Swachh Bharat Launched in 2014, PMJDY aimed to provide Indian citizens with affordable access to financial services. Social media was pivotal in disseminating information about the scheme, with platforms like Facebook and Twitter sharing engaging content, live Q&A sessions, and success stories. This strategy informed the public and created a sense of ownership and participation among beneficiaries. The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2, 2014, represented one of the most extensive sanitation campaigns globally. Social media played a crucial role in popularizing the mission, with hashtags like #SwachhBharatMission becoming rallying points for discussions and updates. The involvement of celebrities and public figures as brand ambassadors further amplified the campaign’s reach, making it a nationwide movement. Beti Bachao Beti PadhaoLaunched on January 22, 2015, the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign aimed to address the alarming decline in the child sex ratio. Social media was instrumental in raising awareness about gender-based issues, with the BJP’s social media handles sharing infographics, videos, and success stories. The #SelfieWithDaughter campaign exemplified the power of social media in spreading awareness and fostering public engagement. Hindutva Narratives: Ram Mandir, Article 370, and CAA Ram MandirThe BJP effectively utilized the emotive appeal of the Ram Mandir issue to shape Hindutva public opinion and drive election campaigns. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp were used to communicate the party’s commitment to constructing the Ram Mandir, portraying it as a symbol of Hindu cultural resurgence. Compelling visuals and targeted campaigns rallied widespread support among Hindu communities. Article 370The BJP strategically used the abrogation of Article 370 to shape Hindutva public opinion and drive its election campaigns. Social media platforms disseminated narratives emphasizing the move’s alignment with national security and socio-economic development. Hashtags, multimedia content, and coordinated online campaigns helped counter opposition narratives and garnered public support.Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)The BJP leveraged the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to shape public opinion and consolidate support among Hindu communities. Social media platforms were used to highlight the humanitarian aspects of the legislation, framing it as a measure to provide refuge to persecuted religious minorities. Targeted messaging and multimedia content facilitated public engagement and mobilized grassroots support. ConclusionThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has revolutionized political engagement and governance in India through its pioneering use of digital technology and social media. From 2001 to 2014, the BJP effectively combined Hindutva ideology with developmental agendas in Gujarat, led by Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Transitioning to the national level from 2014 to 2023, Prime Minister Modi continued to leverage social media to implement public policies, blending Hindutva principles with welfare agendas. Despite criticisms, the BJP’s multifaceted social media strategies have successfully popularized government schemes, encouraging citizen participation and showcasing their impact. This highlights the transformative role of digital platforms in shaping contemporary political discourse and public perception in India.

Insights from Modi-Gates Conversation Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently engaged in a compelling discussion covering a range of thought-provoking issues from artificial intelligence (AI) to Health, Education, agriculture and governance. The conversation is widely shared across social media platforms in India. Both underscored the instrumental role of AI in expediting vaccination drives, managing healthcare facilities like the Argoya Health Centre, and facilitating digital documentation through innovative platforms such as Digi-locker in the last ten years.Maximizing Governance through TechnologyCentral to their discourse was maximizing governance through AI integration into administrative processes. In their conversation, Prime Minister Modi and Bill Gates delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, as well as its utilization in COVID-19 vaccination drives, Argoya Health Centre, Namo Apps, and Digi-locked documentation.They highlighted how AI-powered diagnostic tools are revolutionizing disease diagnosis, assisting healthcare professionals in accurately and promptly identifying diseases. Moreover, they discussed how predictive analytics algorithms driven by AI can forecast disease outbreaks and identify high-risk populations, facilitating proactive intervention and preventive measures. Notably, they emphasized integrating the latest AI technology into initiatives like the Ayushmann Scheme, which aims to enhance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.Moving on to education, Modi and Gates explored how AI promises to personalize learning experiences and cater to diverse learning styles. They discussed how AI-driven adaptive learning platforms can tailor educational content and pace of learning to individual student needs, fostering engagement and improving learning outcomes. Additionally, they highlighted the potential of AI-powered tutoring systems to provide personalized support and feedback to students, complementing traditional teaching methods and promoting student success. Their conversation underscored the significance of leveraging AI to enhance educational outcomes and empower learners.Furthermore, Modi and Gates discussed AI’s potential to revolutionize agricultural practices, particularly optimizing resource utilization and enhancing crop yields while mitigating environmental impact. They elaborated on how AI-driven precision agriculture systems analyze data from various sources such as sensors, satellites, and drones to monitor soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health in real time. By providing farmers with actionable insights and recommendations, these systems enable more efficient and sustainable farming practices, ultimately increasing productivity and profitability while minimizing environmental degradation. Through their dialogue, Modi and Gates emphasized the importance of harnessing AI’s capabilities to drive innovation and address critical challenges in these essential sectors.ChallengesHowever, alongside the benefits, Modi and Gates acknowledged the challenges and ethical considerations associated with technology adoption. They addressed concerns such as the digital divide, ethical implications of AI, job displacement, deepfake technology, and data privacy breaches as major challenges. The digital divide remains a significant hurdle, particularly in developing countries like India, where disparities in access to technology and internet connectivity persist. While AI promises to drive progress and innovation, unequal access to digital infrastructure exacerbates existing inequalities, leaving marginalized communities behind. Bridging this divide requires concerted efforts to expand broadband access, improve digital literacy, and ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.Furthermore, there is growing concern about the ethical implications of AI, particularly regarding its impact on employment and human labour. The rise of AI-powered automation has sparked fears of job displacement and economic disruption, particularly in sectors susceptible to automation, such as manufacturing and customer service. Addressing these concerns requires proactive measures to reskill and upskill workers, foster job creation in emerging industries, and establish social safety nets to support those affected by technological change.Moreover, the proliferation of AI-generated content and deepfake technology raises profound questions about truth, authenticity, and the manipulation of digital information. Deepfake technology, in particular, can potentially undermine trust in media and democratic institutions by creating convincing but fabricated audio and video content. Combatting deepfakes necessitates robust authentication mechanisms, digital literacy initiatives, and regulatory frameworks to detect and mitigate the spread of misinformation.Additionally, data privacy emerges as a paramount concern in the era of AI-driven technologies, as vast amounts of personal data are collected, analyzed, and utilized to train AI algorithms. The unauthorized access, misuse, and exploitation of personal data pose significant risks to individual privacy and civil liberties. Strengthening data protection laws, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and promoting user-centric approaches to data governance are essential steps in safeguarding privacy rights in the age of AI.Guiding the FuturePrime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates’ dialogue highlights critical strategies for responsibly integrating AI into daily life. Firstly, there is a pressing need to promote digital public infrastructure to ensure equitable access to AI-driven services and opportunities. This entails investing in high-speed internet connectivity, digital literacy programs, and digital service delivery platforms, particularly in underserved communities, to bridge the digital divide and empower marginalized segments of society. Second, Addressing the menace of deepfake technology, Modi and Gates propose the implementation of watermarks on AI-generated content as a means of authentication and verification. This measure can serve as a digital signature, offering a traceable and tamper-evident mechanism to verify the authenticity of digital media, thereby combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation.In conclusion, the insights shared by Prime Minister Modi and Bill Gates underscore the imperative of navigating the AI landscape with caution and foresight. By establishing clear guidelines and best practices, prioritizing AI-centric research, and fostering collaboration across sectors, societies can harness the transformative potential of AI while ensuring ethical and equitable outcomes. As we embark on this journey into the AI-driven future, we must remain vigilant, prioritizing principles of transparency, fairness, and privacy protection to create a world where AI is a force for positive change, benefitting all stakeholders. Through concerted efforts and collective action, we can unlock the full potential of AI-driven innovation, driving progress and prosperity for generations to come.About AuthorDr Nikhil Kumar Singhmar is an Author and Social Media Consultant in India. He holds a PhD in social media politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. His areas of interest include the discourse and narrative analysis of social media, Election strategies and Data analysis.