At the outset, let’s note that anti-incumbency is a necessary but not a sufficient explanation for the nature of BJP’s defeat. Over the last decade, the BJP has particularly relied on two such myths for political expansion and/or legitimation — an ideological myth (‘subaltern Hindutva’) and a governance myth (‘double engine sarkar’). Insofar as the Karnataka election result disturbs the basis of these myths, it leaves a significant national imprint. Firstly, let’s come to the myth of subaltern Hindutva. As it happened, the only significant impact of the BJP’s hard Hindutva campaign, waged over two years, remained confined to the 20-odd seats of Karnataka.

Source: The Hindu May 14, 2023 08:10 UTC