The BJP today kicked off its Parivartan Yatra which will see Uma Bharti travel across the state addressing rallies in a modified chariot with a clear focus on developmental issues. Forgotten was much of the shrill discourse on Hindutva which has dominated the political space in MP over the past few months, with the exception of the anti-cow slaughter Bill where the Congress’ failure to support Digvijay’s stand was highlighted. Dhol Ki Pol to say it all PANDURNA: The BJP rally also saw the release of a specially prepared booklet Dhol Ki Pol by the party highlighting the Digvijay government’s record on roads, electricity, unemployment, law and order, atrocities on women and Dalits as well as issues related to health and the fiscal state of MP. The figures from MP have been contrasted with the national average to highlight the ‘failures’ on all such fronts. (ENS) That this would be the BJP’s thrust had become clear at last month’s rally addressed by L.K. Advani in Bhopal where Uma was given clear command of the party campaign in the state. In much the same spirit today, the thrust was on electricity, roads and unemployment. However, this was a complete contrast to when Uma entered the state as a ‘‘star campaigner’’ late in December at a rally in Satna which was dominated by emotive appeals in the aftermath of the Gujarat results. Today, in the heart of the Kamalnath territory, the Gujarat victory — where Kamalnath guided the Congress campaign — came in for no more than passing reference. But the religious symbolism that is Uma’s trademark was not missing from today’s occasion. The rath was flagged off by Arun Jaitley who himself shied away from stressing Hindutva and spoke of the Congress track record in MP on developmental issues after Uma offered puja at the temple of the reclining Hanuman in Sanvli where a large number of devotees were assembled for Hanuman Jayanti. Later addressing a rally at Pandurna, Uma laid out the points which the BJP seems to have narrowed down on in order to take the attack to the Digvijay camp. Berating both the Dalit agenda and the Panchayati Raj initiative of the Digvijay government, she said it was not the idea behind such programmes that was at fault but the government’s failure to implement these. She alluded to the BJP’s Dalit convention in Mhow later this month and said that the party would continue with a land distribution programme for Dalits but not by taking land away from poor farmers who may have taken over an acre or two of land illegally. Claiming that the 1998 Congress victory in MP was flawed, she said that Digvijay’s ‘‘poll management’’ would not be allowed to work this year as had been shown by the exposure of the electoral rolls discrepancies. She slammed the Congress for not voting for the private members Bill opposing cow slaughter which was moved by BJP MP from Balaghat.
