In the post-Yogi- anointment period the primary task of Modi would be to reach out to the Minorities, dalit and oppressed section of the society, especially the rural poor and win over them to his side. But the task is arduous and involves the element of trust. It may be argued that Modi enjoys the trust of all the communities, even the Muslims. The result of UP may be cited to justify the claim. Even though the BJP did not nominate a single Muslim as its candidate, they, particularly in Muslim dominated constituencies, voted for the BJP.

Obviously the question arises what made the Muslims to forget the brutal attacks of the Hindu mercenaries in Moradabad and other places in UP. Moreover by denying tickets to Muslims the BJP had publically revealed its hatred towards the community. It was the threat of decimation that forced them to submit. True enough the Muslim artisans of UP were the worst sufferers of his demonetization. No doubt some Muslims have been sympathetic to him and support but their number is no so high that they will ensure victory of the saffron candidates.

During his three year tenure he was forced to perform the dual role of the ruler as well as executer of Sangh’s dreams and desires. Modi astutely performed the task. While he reached out to the middle class, enamoured of the capitalist gains, he used his office and power for the image makeover of the country. It was during these years the Sangh and Hindu zealots vociferously raised the issues of beef eating, conversion (ghar wapasi) as a prelude to transformation of India as Hindu Rashtra

The RSS nurses the view that next decade is crucial for Sangh to accomplish its task and convert the secular India into a Hindu Rashtra. A simple legislative resolution is enough to bring about the change in the character. But it would not be acceptable to the secular forces. They would resent. Actually what RSS intends is the resolution should have wider approval. For this to happen it is imperative that BJP should not only rule India it must have its governments in all the states and the people should accept BJP as the ruling party, replacing the Congress.

Precisely this is the reason that Yogi has been entrusted with the task of preparing the ground in UP. It would become an easier task if Yogi succeeds in projecting UP as the model Hindu state. Yogi Adityanath has been the divisive Hindutva face of the party. He loves to create controversy. Shockingly even after knowing his background and style of operation the Sangh leadership chose him for the task. It obviously implied that the party needed someone who can stoke the fire of communalism and polarization. An experiment in UP will undoubtedly have its effect on other states.

Strategically the Sangh does not intend to owe the responsibility of installing Yogi as the chief minister. Visibility of direct involvement of RSS would not augur well. The people of UP are literally shocked to see that their trust they had reposed in Modi, on his assurance of development and growth, has been reversed. In doing so, the BJP has shifted the discourse from development. The significance of the mandate that UP has given to Modi is that people of the state see him as a new kind of political leader.

Now Yogi taking over CM’s office, simply reinforces the belief that UP will witness chiseling of the process to transform secular India into Hindu Rashtra. Nevertheless his taking the charge as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh at this juncture sends a clear message of marginalisation of minorities in UP. Yogi’s induction is manifestation of BJP will now be dominated by extremes, collective narcissism rather than an acknowledgement of plurality. A number of theories are floating. But whoever is acquainted with the style of functioning of the RSS knows it well that nothing can move against its desire.

One development is quite surprising. The RSS instead of allowing a leader who does not have Sangh background, has been insisting to install the leader who is a hard core Sangh activist for the job of chief minister. By picking Adityanath to govern UP, Modi and Shah have sent across a clear message that RSS prefers its own progeny for accomplishing the task. Earlier it installed known RSS karyakarta Khattar as the chief ministers of Harayana. Devender Fadnavis, Trivendra Rawat followed the suit.

For long the RSS has been eyeing for Uttar Pradesh. But this time the opportunities came the RSS way through its proactive assertion. True enough the RSS owes the appreciation more than anyone else for victory of the BJP in UP. The RSS was aware of the fact this was the only chance in many years that has come its way and it must use it decisively for implementing its divisive politics. It ought to not miss the opportunity as there was no certainty that one such similar occasion will come again.

Ever since the BJP wrested the Delhi--power, the RSS has been seriously making efforts to implement its agenda of Hindu Rashtra. A concerted effort is being made by the forces of Hindutva to change the very foundations of Bharat and Hindu society. But they could not succeed in their mission as the greater Hindu society and secular forces protested their moves. Look at the manner in which the RSS leaders and its frontal organizations launched various movements and action to terrorise the secular forces and greater Hindu society.

Modi claims that he has churned out the possibility of a new and renewed India. Of course he is right. He knows that old India would not accept the RSS hegemony. The best suited class is the new urban middle class which brought Modi to power in 2014. Following the upsurge of acute hatredness in the bourgeoning middle class towards Congress and secularism, Sangh has shifted its focus to the middle class. In 2014 this section, which constitutes nearly 37 per cent of the Indian population, rallied behind Modi. It virtually dissipated and vanquished the Congress. Modi with the support of the RSS intends to win over this section as permanent support base.

Nevertheless one must not forget the fact that this is a tough proposition and resembles like day dreaming. It would be utopia to believe that with UP under Yogi, it would a smooth walk over for Modi. In the recently held by-elections to 11 state assembly and parliamentary seats close on the heels of the 2014 Lok Sabha poll the party lost eight out of the 11 by-elections. The BJP chief Amit Shah had entrusted the leadership of the by-election campaign to Yogi Adityanath, who communalised the election by raising the pitch on things like “love jihad” and “ghar wapsi.” Even subsequent attempts to play up “beef politics” did not make much headway. Two year is quite a longer period. (IPA Service)