Political Parties Tread Carefully Around Sabarimala Gold Heist
In the ongoing civic poll campaign in Kerala, both the BJP and Congress parties are showing remarkable restraint when it comes to the sensational Sabarimala gold heist case. Despite the shocking exposure of temple gold theft and the arrest of two former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents, political parties have largely maintained a hushed campaign around the issue.
The history of unpredictable political outcomes associated with Sabarimala-related controversies has made both major opposition parties wary of weaving a loud campaign around the gold heist at the hill shrine. Senior leaders from both BJP and Congress admit privately that the gold heist represents a major issue in these elections, yet they hesitate to make it a central campaign theme.
Ghost of 2019 Elections Haunts Current Campaign
The cautious approach stems directly from the bitter experience of the 2019 Parliament elections. During that heated campaign, Namajapa processions, protest meetings and billboards featuring Lord Ayyappa dominated the political landscape. Both BJP and Congress competed vigorously to prove their allegiance to devotees who were protesting against the state government's position on young women's entry into Sabarimala temple.
"But, what if 2019 repeats? While we did all the work, stood with the devotees and went to jail, Congress and the UDF got the benefit in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Who knows what's in store in this polls?" revealed a senior BJP leader, expressing the underlying anxiety driving their current strategy.
The same leader added that until BJP emerges as a strong alternative to the CPM, it would be difficult for the saffron party to make political mileage by focusing heavily on campaigns over Sabarimala.
Alternative Campaign Strategies Emerge
Instead of emphasizing the Sabarimala controversy, BJP has shifted its focus to localized development and welfare programs. BJP state general secretary S Suresh confirmed that their campaign now highlights initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides Rs 5-lakh free health insurance to senior citizens over 70 years of age.
However, this doesn't mean the gold heist has completely disappeared from political discourse. The BJP is attempting to spread a whispering campaign against the Sabarimala gold heist, hoping it could work as an added advantage to ensure the votes of BJP sympathizers and admirers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On the other side, the Congress camp faces similar uncertainties about the political outcome of doubling down on the Sabarimala controversy. The particular dynamics of local body elections, where a small number of voters often decides the fate of candidates, adds another layer of complexity to their strategic calculations.
The fundamental question haunting both opposition parties remains the same: what if their campaign ultimately benefits their political rivals instead? This fear appears to be pushing both BJP and Congress toward more cautious campaigning, with the Sabarimala gold heist taking a backseat to other issues despite its obvious emotional and religious significance to voters.
