Ahead of 2019 Polls, PM Modi is Testing the Waters at Kumbh Mela

Rechristening an ‘Ardh Kumbh’ as ‘Kumbh’ was just the beginning of BJP’s political agenda around the event.

A media centre at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. 

(Photo Courtesy: Shadab Moizee)

As the Kumbh Mela 2019 begins on Tuesday, 15 January, Prayagraj (formerly, Allahabad) has undergone a makeover. One won’t completely miss the mark by calling it a ‘Modiover’.

The entry points to the city, the roads criss-crossing it, the banks at Sangam and everything in between, now have posters and pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahead of general elections, Kumbh Mela is PM Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s best bet to showcase achievements with a dose of religiosity.

Kumbh: Proxy for Ram Mandir?

The Kumbh also gives BJP a chance to pacify sadhus who are, to an extent, miffed with the government’s approach on the Ram temple issue.

Posters featuring PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath in Prayagraj. (Photo Courtesy: Shadab Moizee)

PM Modi’s stance of waiting for the judiciary to decide on the temple issue and not bringing an ordinance has left sadhus disenchanted with the BJP-led government, which is leveraging the Kumbh to make amends. Rechristening the ‘Ardh Kumbh’ as ‘Kumbh’ was just the beginning, and the party is doing everything possible to live up to the ‘Divya Kumbh Bhavya Kumbh’ tagline for the mega event.

Will Efforts Translate into Votes?

When PM Modi visited Sangam on 16 December 2018, he inaugurated 366 projects worth Rs 4,048 crore. He also took the opportunity to address a public meeting to kick-start BJPs campaign in the politically crucial region.

About a month down the line, one can spot posters highlighting the inauguration of these projects.

The posters, which were put up ahead of Modi’s visit to the city, are intact even a month later, in an obvious reminder of the prime minister’s efforts.

Posters highlighting the projects inaugurated by Modi.(Photo Courtesy: Shadab Moizee)

Yogi & Modi: The Poster Boys

An interesting aspect about the posters is that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has seemingly been given as much importance as PM Modi. While there exists no rule in this regard, by convention, state leaders enjoy lesser prominence than the prime minister on posters.

Posters featuring Modi and Adityanath in Prayagraj.(Photo Courtesy: Shadab Moizee)

One might observe the aberration as politically significant. In a scenario in which the BJP is riddled with questions on unemployment and agrarian distress, the ruling party is understandably trying to embellish its Hindutva identity by promoting Adityanath alongside Modi.

The story was originally published on Hindi Quint

Translated by: Abhik Deb