The political temperature is rising as Congress stalwart Manishankar Aiyar launches a fresh salvo against Hindutva, with BJP’s Yogendra Chandolia dismissing it as a calculated move to bolster Congress’s vote bank amid electoral uncertainties.
Aiyar’s pointed remarks came during a discussion on religious nationalism. He contended that Hindutva politicizes faith, alienating India’s diverse populace and contradicting constitutional secularism. ‘We must reclaim Hinduism from extremists,’ he implored.
Chandolia hit back hard: ‘This is Congress’s favorite playbook—attack Hindutva to pander to minorities. Aiyar knows their Hindu votes are gone; now it’s survival mode.’ His comments resonated in BJP circles, framing Congress as out of touch.
Contextually, Congress reels from bypoll losses and leadership flux. Aiyar’s intervention aims to fire up the base, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal where minority consolidation is key.
BJP counters with data: rising support among OBCs and Dalits, crediting Hindutva’s inclusive evolution under Modi. Chandolia accused Aiyar of ignoring Congress’s own communal history, from 1984 riots to 2002 Gujarat.
Media coverage amplifies the divide. Prime-time debates pit ‘secularism vs. nationalism,’ with Aiyar as poster child for Congress resistance.
Aiyar’s resilience shines through past controversies. Unfazed, he doubles down, positioning as intellectual bulwark against BJP dominance.
Chandolia’s retort ends optimistically for BJP: ‘Truth prevails. Voters reject Congress’s fearmongering.’
Ultimately, this clash reveals fault lines in India’s body politic. As campaigns intensify, Aiyar’s strategy could either reinvigorate Congress or expose its vulnerabilities, shaping the 2024 electoral map.