Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a long meeting with the BJP brass on Wednesday night in what is being seen as a session to chalk out an election strategy to counter the Opposition’s unity efforts.
A day after he played another polarising card by pushing for a uniform civil code, Modi was huddled for hours with home minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santosh, the three key leaders who are usually taken into confidence for effecting changes in the government or organisation and for the preparation of poll strategy.
The meeting has triggered talk of an impending shuffle in the Modi ministry along with changes in the organisation. Since early this year, party leaders had hinted at Modi planning to refurbish his ministry. He is scheduled to chair a meeting of his council of ministers on Monday and party insiders believe changes in the government and organisation could happen soon.
“Modi has set the agenda for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by pitching the uniform civil code. The UCC is a counter to the Opposition getting together in Patna,” a BJP leader said.
Apart from pitching for a UCC, Modi had launched an attack on the Opposition parties’ meeting in Patna, saying they were all corrupt dynasts and threatening to act against them.
The BJP insiders said the leadership was considering bringing a bill in Parliament for a uniform civil code and this was discussed during the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence.
With less than a year left for the Lok Sabha polls, the party managers believe the bill would not only set the tone for the key election but also put the Opposition on the back foot and drive a wedge in their ranks.
BJP-ruled Uttarakhand is almost ready with the final draft of a UCC, prepared by a committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge. The draft could be used by the central government to frame a bill, party leaders said.
The UCC envisages a common code of personal laws for people of all religions and is set to draw a loud opposition, particularly from the minority Muslim community, which the BJP managers believe will aid their majoritarian politics.
The Opposition has accused Modi of using the UCC to divert attention from price rise and lack of jobs, and sections in the ruling dispensation agree the twin issues were a matter of concern. They referred to the Karnataka poll results as a possible reason behind the top leadership reworking the general election strategy.
“The defeat in Karnataka seems to have shaken the leadership. Though Modi’s popularity remains high, the leadership doesn’t want to take chances and so the focus on an emotive issue like the UCC,” a BJP old-timer said. “It is a fact that price rise and lack of jobs is pinching the poor and the middle class,” the leader added.
