In the space of a couple of days, the Centre’s big two — Narendra Modi and Amit Shah — have found themselves compelled to furnish guarantees on key issues that their 400-paar push has raised widespread concerns over.

Modi allayed fears that a brute majority would be used to rewrite the Constitution; Shah on Friday found himself assuring the electorate the party would not tinker with reservations for underprivileged sections.

Signs of nerves after negative feedback from the ground as India voted in the first round?

During the campaign for the 2015 Bihar polls, a statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat indicating disapproval of reservations had provided an extra impetus to the Mahagathbandhan.

“Hum na kabhi aarakshan ke saath chhedkhani karenge, na kisi ko karne denge. Ye hamara commitment hai desh ki janta ko (We will never tinker with reservations nor let anyone do it. This is our commitment to the people of the country),” the Union home minister told NDTV.

Shah had been asked about the Opposition’s allegation that the BJP would change the Constitution if it won a big majority. He chose to single out the issue of reservation, perhaps unwittingly baring the BJP’s concern at the reported fear among large sections of Dalit and tribal voters about a possible abolition of the quotas.

The Telegraph had reported from the ground in Rajasthan on April 14 that Modi’s push for a 400-plus tally had spread apprehensions among Dalit and tribal communities about a possible plan to amend the Constitution and abolish reservations.

Party insiders acknowledged that the Opposition’s campaign about such changes to the Constitution had spread rapidly across many states and could “seriously damage” the BJP’s prospects in several seats. Therefore, the “damage control” effort by the top leadership.

In addition to this, the BJP’s natural supporters, the upper caste Kshatriya/ Rajputs, have been issuing “boycott BJP” calls alleging the party is denying them adequate representation.

Several senior BJP leaders have been deployed to woo the community, which is being asked to follow the “Rashtra dharma” and vote for Modi for the sake of the country.

Shah accused Opposition parties of trying to mislead voters and incite emotions.

“They are linking this (alleged plan to change the Constitution) with reservation and saying this in a roundabout way. I will answer this directly,” Shah said.

“In 2014, we (the NDA) had the majority required to change the Constitution. In 2019, the BJP alone had an absolute majority but we never tweaked reservations.”

He added: “The people know they (the Opposition) have no issues, so they are trying to arouse sentiments, but I don’t think people will be misled.”

Early this week, Modi too had in an interview sought to allay similar fears without directly referring to reservations.

A 90-year-old voter shows her inked finger in Dibrugarh on Friday. PTI picture

“When I say that I have big plans, no one should be scared. I don’t take decisions to scare or run over anyone. I take decisions for the wholesome development of the nation,” he had told news agency ANI.

Modi was reacting to the claim that his “big plans” for what he believes would be his third term had made some people nervous.

The Prime Minister has since then embarked on a course correction. At none of the three rallies he addressed on Friday — in Amroha (Uttar Pradesh), Hosangabad (Madhya Pradesh) and Wardha (Maharashtra) — did he raise the “Abki baar char sau paar” slogan.

Instead, he focused on “Phir ek baar, Modi sarkar” and promised more benefits for the poor.

Modi did repeat his “abhi to yeh trailer hai” line at Amroha — suggesting the past 10 years were just a trailer before the real changes happened —but clarified that this meant bringing in more development.

The “400-paar” slogan does not feature in the BJP manifesto.

Shah did raise the “400-paar” cry at a rally in Pali, Rajasthan, but promptly offered a clarification.

“They (the Opposition) are asking why we need 400-plus? I want to tell them — be it OBC, SC or ST — that Prime Minister Modi is the biggest supporter of reservations,” he said.

“The Congress asks us why we need 400-plus. When people gave us 300-plus, we abrogated Article 370, made India the fifth-largest economy… ended triple talaq, gave 33 per cent reservation (in the state and national legislatures) to women. And biggest of all, a grand Ram temple was built.”

However, the women’s reservation is yet to be implemented.

Manipur votes on Mayhem

Kuki people queue to cast their votes at a polling station inside a relief camp in Churachandpur on Friday. Strife-wracked Manipur recorded a voter turnout of 68.62 per cent till 5pm at two Lok Sabha seats. There were reports of firing, intimidation and vandalism at several places in Inner Manipur, while Kuki-Zo voters boycotted polling in Kangpokpi district of Outer Manipur in protest against the government’s delay in resolving the conflict. According to reports, seven EVMs were damaged by voters in Imphal East and Imphal West. Groups of people fired at each other near a polling station in Bishnupur district, forcing voters to flee. The Opposition Congress has sought repolling at 40 stations in Inner Manipur. The Inner and Outer Manipur seats are held by the ruling BJP and NPF, respectively, but the Congress has mounted a strong challenge. Reuters picture, report by Umanand Jaiswal