A Key to Electoral Success
campaigning, diffusion of ideology, welfare program implementation, and party survival.
The BJP boasts a massive membership base, providing it with an unparalleled campaign machine. Shah has overseen mass recruitment drives, making the BJP the world's largest political party with an estimated 180 million members. These members are assigned to polling booths, where they gather voter information and attempt to persuade them to vote for the BJP. This micro-campaigning on a national scale gives the BJP a significant advantage in mobilizing voters.
The BJP's well-defined ideological platform, combining Hindu nationalism and right-wing populism, is effectively disseminated through its grassroots organization. Members receive extensive training in this ideology, ensuring that they can effectively mobilize new followers based on the party's platform. This ideological consistency has been central to the BJP's success over the past decade.
Modi's popularity is also fueled by the expansion of welfare programs to millions of low-income earners. While Modi takes credit for these programs, it is the BJP's grassroots members who implement them on the ground. They distribute food, clean streets, and set up bank accounts for the poor, acting as a bridge between the government and the people. These programs are highly popular, and beneficiaries are more likely to vote for the BJP.
The BJP's extensive grassroots organization ensures its long-term survival by providing a steady stream of candidates, officials, and leaders. Unlike other parties, the BJP emphasizes meritocracy, allowing ordinary workers to rise to higher positions. This attracts dedicated members who contribute to the party's long-term success.
The BJP's grassroots organization is a key factor in its electoral success. As long as the BJP continues to develop this machine, and its opponents fail to build similar structures, it is likely to remain a dominant force in Indian politics.