Ram Mandir may be an important topic for the bjp in north India, but it is unlikely to provide electoral support in telugu states. Despite the best efforts of the bjp leadership in both states to capitalize on the pran Pratishtha problem, political observers believe the saffron party's chances in the upcoming lok sabha elections will not improve.

The bjp attempted to generate excitement by broadcasting a live stream of the january 22 ceremony in ayodhya and holding rallies and other events in a few locations, particularly in Telangana. The events were organized in some towns by the bjp, RSS, VHP, and other right-wing parties, which caused some moderate conflict.

Big difference between North and South
According to analysts, the bjp may lose votes in telugu states because of the ram temple, as there is a significant disparity in how people in the north and south regard the issue.

Unlike Hindus in other areas of the nation, those in the telugu states are not spiritually tied to the ayodhya shrine.

Most Hindus in andhra pradesh and telangana prefer to visit the tirumala shrine once or twice a year rather than go to Ayodhya.

"There is general aversion among Hindus in the telugu states to the kind of politics bjp and other Hindutva organizations have played over the issue for the last 3-4 decades," said P. Pavan, a political scientist.

The bulk of people regard the ram temple issue as more political than religious. They did not appreciate how pran Pratishtha was performed by a politician rather than a monk.

Telangana bjp pulled all the stops
The telangana bjp unit, along with other parties, went all out to benefit from pran Prathishtha. Some villages and towns had gone saffron as they displayed flags, banners, and cut-outs while also hosting live broadcasts of the event.

Governor tamilisai soundararajan was invited to the live screening in Hyderabad, along with Union minister and state bjp president G. Kishan Reddy.

The bjp has also prepared special trains to transport its activists to ayodhya for darshan. Under the Sri ram mandir Darshan Abhiyan (campaign for darshan of the Sri ram temple), 17 trains will go to ayodhya commencing january 29 to serve the state's 17 lok sabha seats. The trains, known as special 'astha' (faith) trains, depart from secunderabad or Kazipet.

The first train, serving the secunderabad Parliamentary seat represented by Kishan Reddy, will depart secunderabad station for ayodhya on january 29 and return on february 2.

Analysts don’t see ground impact
However, observers predict that these efforts will not result in a beneficial outcome for the party in terms of seats or votes.

The saffron party may approach people with the image of ayodhya, portraying the construction of the ram temple as a significant accomplishment, but this may not result in votes.

They recollect that even during the peak of the Ramjanbhoomi campaign, it was not a major issue in telugu states.

"They cannot ask people to vote on the ram temple issue. Hindus here want to know what the bjp has done for the Ramayana temple in Bhadrachalam," said another analyst, Palwai raghavendra Reddy.
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Telangana Andhra Pradesh

SIBY JEYYA

28/01/2024 08:32 AM