AAP's Tiranga Yatra In Ayodhya: Down A Slippery Path?
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-08-31 07:03:53
About the Author
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has become proactive and is trying to take on the BJP at its own game, albeit without the trappings of hardcore Hindutva. It has decided to conduct a "Tiranga Yatra" in Ayodhya on September 14. The yatra will have stopovers at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex and Hanumangarhi. But is AAP experienced enough to travel this route of soft Hindutva married to nationalism which other parties, especially the Congress, have also tried in the past, although without much success?
There are several pitfalls, the worst being not being able to win over the core BJP supporters and losing the secular and minority voters instead. For the opposition parties, there is huge danger in identifying with the BJP brand of nationalism that is inextricably linked to Hindutva. The softer version is just a half-hearted, "me-too" attempt that is neither here nor there. But knowing AAP, it is sure that Kejriwal and his advisors have not decided to do this without deliberations. It is also clear that the Ayodhya yatra will not be a one-off. There will be more such yatras across UP, Uttarakhand and even Gujarat where AAP has decided to contest elections. How this strategy helps them is something that will be known over a period of time.
But one thing is sure - AAP must recognize that this route is strewn with nails. One false move and the entire image of an inclusive party that has done sterling work in the health and education sectors in Delhi will come crashing down. Even otherwise, there will be some leaders within the party and supporters who will disapprove of the strategy. There is no harm in arousing nationalistic feelings in the people if such nationalism is based on the symbols of the nation and does not align itself with the symbols or icons of any religion. But the route of the yatra suggests that AAP is seeking to appeal to Hindus. Therein lies the problem for a party that has till now projected itself as being fair to all.
