Beyond the sartorial differences in the BJP leadership -- from the kurta, dhoti, and angavastram of a Murali Manohar Joshi to the abbreviated kurta and waistcoat of a Narendra Modi -- there is one piece of clothing that binds them together: the Brotherhood of the Khaki Knickers or BKK. In one crucial aspect this organisation is similar to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in that both are adept at presenting their fundamental hatred of minorities as an outpouring of deep nationalism.
In the recently concluded general elections this ideological view and the slogans associated with it was kept in the BJP manifesto along with various socio-economic goals. However the BJP, and especially it's prime minister - designate Modi, spent more time on articulating their views on economic development rather than articulating the majoritarian communal demands. The promise of quick growth as seen in the 'Gujarat Model' clicked with the electorate, especially the large section of young first time voters whose expectations have risen dramatically in the last decade. Obviously the tide of high expectation was the result of economic growth and social welfare measures fostered by the Congress-led government; but it swept the BJP into office because of its well run poll campaign machinery, projection of strong leadership, and the anti-incumbency factor that favoured it!
Fortunately for Modi the margin of victory in the Lok Sabha is large enough to enable him to rule without the burden of coddling his coalition partners. In the Rajya Sabha the picture is different; the BJP and its partners do not have a majority and the next round of elections to the upper house, which may or not change this situation, is some time away.
Without a majority in the Rajya Sabha Modi's government will find it difficult to pass any non-financial legislation, including amendments to the Constitution. This includes repealing Article 370 that guarantees a special status to Jammu & Kashmir, a nation-wide ban on cow slaughter, and other such demands on the RSS wish list. If Modi is wise he should use the lack of votes in the Rajya Sabha as an excuse to not act on these demands that mean nothing to most Indians and which if acted upon will make Modi a BJP prime minister rather than the prime minister of a splendorous India.
This is all the more necessary because of two factors. One, the difference between the voting percentage of the BJP and its main rival, the Congress, is not significantly wide; two, the BJP's representation is skewed heavily in favour of the Hindi belt and this makes it less than a 'bharatiya' party than what its propaganda claims. Clearly, every part of India is not equidistant from Nagpur.
The lack of votes in the Rajya Sabha gives Modi another advantage: the necessity to reach out to the Opposition to pass his programme of economic development. By engaging with the Opposition Modi can not only get bills passed but also act as a statesman rather than one more politician with a loud voice. This transformation will enable Modi to be his own master rather than just a foot soldier of the khaki knicker brotherhood.
A broad chest is not enough; a strong leader has to stand on his own feet.
