Ever since the BJP government decided to continue the previous Congress government policy of giving grants to English medium primary private schools, it’s mentor the RSS and the self-styled BBSM (Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch) have been sniping at the former for its alleged U-turn on the issue.
However, as the assembly elections draw closer, the RSS and BBSM seem to be intensifying their attack on the BJP. They have gone to the extent of threatening to work against it in the election campaign. They even tried to give a communal twist to the issue by attacking the Catholic Church and the community for supporting the switch to English, when statistics show that a sizeable number of majority community children attending diocesan schools in Goa.
Are the RSS and the BBSM indulging in shadow boxing? Do they really want the BJP to be reduced to single digits at the next elections a la Congress? One wonders whether this is all a tamasha, trying to put wool over the people’s eyes. The reason is that, the saffron groups would surely, not countenance a Congress government after the next elections?
How this game of shadow boxing will play out in the run up to the elections, only the future will tell. But one thing is certain. The BJP is losing credibility both among pro-mother tongue and Marathi enthusiasts, as well as supporters of English medium. The sustained campaign by pro-regional forces could impact it’s support among Konkani/Marathi medium supporters. In fact, the anti-English campaign is confusing the rural electorate as the focus of the attack is the BJP for which large numbers had voted in 2012.
On the other hand, the U-turn made by the BJP government recently, not to bring a bill to make grants to English medium primary schools contrary to its promises, would almost certainly lead to minority voters turning away from it. On the face of it, looks like the BJP is faced with a Hobson’s choice. Either way, it stands to lose.
However, it must not be forgotten that the party is also facing anti- incumbency on account of its dismal performance overall. It’s stance on the controversial MoI issue only aggravates it’s plight. But a lot will depend on the index of opposition unity. In a small state like Goa with a small electorate, a shift of a few thousand votes in a constituency could upset BJP’s applecart.
