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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is employing a strategic campaign in Maharashtra, aiming to solidify its position as the most reliable advocate for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community in the state. This strategy is spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new slogan, 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain' (If United, We Are Safe), which resonates with the OBC community, comprising nearly 38% of Maharashtra's population.
The slogan signifies a deeper message of unity and empowerment within the OBC community, leveraging the high political stakes of the upcoming assembly elections. The BJP, under Modi's leadership, is positioning itself as the party best equipped to deliver tangible benefits to the OBC community, from job security to social development and political representation.
Modi's personal background as an OBC member, coupled with his consistent emphasis on empowering marginalized communities, has contributed to the slogan's resonance. OBC leaders and voters in Maharashtra perceive the BJP as the party best suited to serve their interests and secure their well-being.
To solidify this image, the BJP has introduced a series of targeted welfare schemes and policies aimed at the OBC community. These initiatives include scholarships, support programs for OBC-owned businesses, and measures to enhance OBC representation in educational institutions and government jobs. These initiatives aim to address the community's economic and social challenges, further solidifying the BJP's image as a party committed to OBC welfare.
The 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain' slogan reinforces the concept that unity under the BJP will bring a prosperous and stable future for OBC communities. This sentiment is being actively promoted by BJP leaders in Maharashtra, who are building alliances with influential OBC organizations, holding community meetings, and mobilizing support at the grassroots level.
The BJP is not shying away from contrasting its approach to OBC welfare with that of rival parties like Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BJP accuses these parties of using OBCs as a vote bank without genuine support for their development, emphasizing its commitment to OBC concerns as a core priority. This contrasts with Congress and NCP, which the BJP criticizes for treating OBC concerns as secondary.
While the immediate focus is on the Maharashtra assembly elections, the 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain' slogan also serves as a strategic move for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With OBCs constituting a critical voting bloc, the slogan aims to build a long-term support base for the BJP. The party aims to secure not only the upcoming assembly elections but also a stronger position in Maharashtra ahead of the national polls.
The BJP's strategy is viewed as a counter-strategy to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) approach to appease the Maratha community. The MVA's strategy, while successful in the past, may have alienated the OBC community. The BJP's focus on OBCs and their needs, encapsulated in the 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain' slogan, is intended to secure their votes and establish a strong foothold within the community.
Source: ‘Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain’: PM Modi’s New Slogan Aims To Solidify BJP’s OBC Vote Base In Maharashtra