Hindu Nationalism and Economic Prosperity: A High-Stakes Election in Uttar Pradesh

Strategic Insights -

The streets of Ayodhya, a holy city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, are abuzz with construction activity. Labourers are building a massive three-story temple dedicated to the revered Hindu deity Ram, a project that has been in the making for over 100 years. The temple's construction is part of a larger infrastructure push by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to boost economic growth and win over voters ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BJP's election strategy in Uttar Pradesh relies heavily on infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, hotels, and a swanky new railway station, to drive economic growth and create jobs.
  • Over 150 million people will vote in the state across seven phases, with the results to be declared in March.
  • The BJP's core Hindu nationalist agenda is a key factor in its election strategy, with the party wooing voters with welfare measures and promising to attract investment and create jobs.
  • The party is also facing allegations of COVID-19 mismanagement in the state, as well as opposition from farmers who are still angry over the agriculture laws that were revoked last year.
  • The election will be a referendum on the popularity of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a polarizing figure who has been accused of promoting Hindu nationalism and violence against Muslims.
  • Analysts are skeptical of the BJP's ability to drive economic growth through infrastructure development, with one economist estimating that youth unemployment has increased fivefold under Adityanath's rule.
  • The BJP's Hindu nationalist agenda has been criticized for creating a feeling of divide and difference between Hindus and Muslims, with many Muslims in Uttar Pradesh expressing fear and uncertainty about their future.

Statistics:

  • Over 150 million people will vote in the Uttar Pradesh elections across seven phases.
  • The BJP lost the state in 2012 but won it emphatically twice on the national stage.
  • The BJP's Yogi Adityanath has increased youth unemployment fivefold under his rule, according to economist Santosh Mehrotra.
  • The party has made grand promises, including attracting investment, providing free electricity for farmers, and generating jobs for 20 million people, but has provided few details.
  • The Hindu temple in Ayodhya is being built on a plot of land where a 16th-century mosque once stood, before it was torn down in 1992.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press news wire
  • Rishi Lekhi and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Ayodhya
  • Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India
  • Economist Santosh Mehrotra
  • Political science professor Gilles Verniers at Ashoka University
  • Lucknow-based political analyst Sharat Pradhan