If Congress Has AHINDA, We Have HIND — Hindutva, Nationalism And Development: C T Ravi

A senior Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has come out with a strategy to counter caste-based politics of the Congress ahead of the assembly polls.

BJP general secretary and MLA from Karnataka C T Ravi said yesterday (9 April) that the party’s ‘HIND’ strategy — Hindutva, Nationalism and Development — will help it outplay Congress’ caste-based ‘AHINDA’ strategy in the upcoming elections.

Ravi also defended his party leader and sitting Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who has been under attack from the Congress. He said that Bommai has managed the state well and was not a “liability” for the party.

“If the Congress has the AHINDA strategy, BJP has the HIND card. We don’t resort to casteism for the sake of votes,” he told the Economic Times.

The BJP believes in unifying the society and working for national interest and overall development, he said.

“Our idea of HIND will outplay Congress’ tactics of dividing society for electoral gain,” he said.

Speaking on B S Yediyurappa, the four-time MLA from Chikkamagaluru said that the party is fighting elections under his guidance.

On Bommai reservation policies, he said that by introducing internal quotas, he has taken a landmark step in ensuring social justice for all.

What Is The ‘AHINDA’ Strategy Of Congress?

AHINDA is a Kannada acronym for Alpasankhyataru (minorities), Hindulidavaru (backward classes), and Dalitaru (Dalits). It was coined by backward classes leader Devraj Urs and has been reinvigorated in recent times by Siddaramaiah.

However, the strategy has not worked for Congress in recent years due to Hindutva consolidation under BJP.

Siddaramaiah has also been criticised for using the ‘AHINDA’ plank as a vote bank during elections. Amit Shah once slammed him for not being ‘AHINDA’ but ‘Ahindu’.

Meanwhile, BJP is set to announce its list of candidates for the upcoming elections today (10 April).