The original USP of politics: Connect

For a party whose credo, 'whatever it takes to win', has delivered it electoral bounty over the decade, Narendra Modi's message to BJP workers on Sunday to not lose connect with the people is not just a caveat against taking popular support for granted, but it is also an appeal to strategically re-evaluate matters on the ground according to real-time political reality. Addressing the BJP national executive meeting in New Delhi, the prime minister underlined the need to maintain 'astha ke pul' - the bridge of faith - with the masses, even as opposition remains scattered, and the BJP-Modi combo remains popular nationally.

But by emphasising the party rank and file's need to reach out to 'all 10.5 lakh polling booths in the country' and appoint panna pramukhs - pointpersons engaged with voters - by December-end, party president J P Nadda affirmed the 'original' connect between polis (citizenry) and politics through 'seva, sankalp, samarpan' (service, resolve, dedication). It is a reminder worth remembering.

Relying on anti-Congressism has its limits, especially when regional anti-BJP parties led by popular leaders pose, if not a threat, but at least a challenge to BJP expansion. The 'bridge of faith' in West Bengal, for instance, was not really constructed ground up; the party, instead, relying on ready-to-assemble mass support. Despite the impressive result, local leadership that leads to local connect was left wanting. Elections are won by a combo of means, the salience of which depends on time and place. If the heavy lifting of popular support was done by Modi's personal appeal, it is time the BJP buttresses this available asset with old-style legwork. This is the function of politics - to work for the people and reap the rewards.