Congress’ social justice plank finds Chhattisgarh a tough battleground

Congress in Chhattisgarh faces challenges in promoting social justice amidst reservation debates and BJP's counter-narrative.

Although social justice has emerged as a key plank in the Congress’ Lok Sabha campaign nationwide, the theme is put to a stern test in Chhattisgarh despite the backward classes forming a decisive majority. 

Apart from the many economic promises and caste survey, the Congress has also promised to increase reservation beyond 50%. While the Congress alleges that the BJP seeks 400 plus seats in the Lok Sabha election because it wants to tamper the Constitution and end reservations, the BJP has attempted to change the narrative by claiming that it was indeed the Congress that was snatching the rights of Dalits, tribals, and backward classes to give reservation to Muslims.  

But even before the this whole debate on the “Muslim” quota began, the Congress has had limited impact in taking the social justice message to the intended beneficiaries. With seven of the 11 constituencies - including some tribal and SC-reserved seats - still to go for polls, the acceptability of issues such as Ram Temple and Article 370 besides religious conversion, the clout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which towers over the BJP candidates, and the lingering questions emanating from last year’s Assembly elections are all posing a challenge to the strategy.  

Party sources said that apart from relaying the message through speeches and approaching voters to “fill guarantee cards”, it has also nudged social organisations in tribal areas to conduct meetings and explain its position on reservations. 

Observers such as political commentator Alok Putul, however, say that apart from the ₹1 lakh promise through survey forms, the party has not done enough to carry and deconstruct complicated issues such as Constitution and reservations to the masses to the last mile.

“There are many first-time voters who say they want to vote for Hindu Rashtra, notwithstanding the serious implications of such an idea. This shows the effective delivery of the Bharatiya Janata Party in comparison. Similarly themes like Ram Temple or Article 370 are also trumping the social justice plank because the marginalised see a common cause,” he says. 

Congress leaders differ on this perception.