As the Lok Sabha elections loom, Eddelu Karnataka (Wake Up Karnataka), a civil society collective, outlines a multifaceted strategy to thwart the BJP's electoral ambitions and rally support against its divisive policies. The collective, known for catalysing BJP's defeat in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election, is fortifying its efforts for a national fight.

Eddelu Karnataka has already delineated three primary concerns: national, state, and regional issues. Foremost among these is the perceived erosion of democratic norms and constitutional safeguards under BJP rule. According to the collective, the specter of authoritarianism looms large, with warnings of curtailed freedoms, weakened institutions, and a resurgence of Brahminical hegemony. They stress the importance of addressing misinformation, which misleads voters.

BJP's narrative vs reality

The collective contends that the BJP appears strong outwardly but the scenario at the ground level is different. They criticise the BJP's inability to address state concerns such as Manipur and tax system queries, and its lack of international diplomacy skills. They highlight the BJP's silence on China's aggression and cite instances of India's strained relations, like with the Maldives. Moreover, they criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from press conferences in the last decade and accuse BJP of fostering communalism for political gain, marginalizing the poor Muslims, attacking churches, and labeling critics as anti-nationals.

Purushottama Bilimale, a writer and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for Indian Languages, who is part of Eddelu Karnataka, further elaborated on the context during an interaction with Mathrubhumi English. "The farmers are angry about the government not giving a minimum support price. AAP in Punjab, RJD in Bihar, TMC in West Bengal, and Congress in Rajasthan are ahead of BJP. People are outraged over the unfair overthrow of the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance has become even stronger in the wake of the aggression  by the BJP," he said. 

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Purushottama Bilimale

According to Bilimale, the Ram Mandir issue, which was BJP’s strongest weapon, has lost its relevance. " Ram mandir has lost its sheen. People know the irregularities of electoral bonds. Threatened by this, the BJP is searching for allies in all states. But the regional parties now do not trust the BJP, which has developed the art of swallowing allies. In Punjab, the Akali Dal has moved away from the BJP. JDS, which has joined hands with BJP, will lose its significance after this election. Only the mainstream media is chanting the mantra of 'Modi for the third time'," he added.

Eddelu Karnataka's Strategy

Eddelu Karnataka's objectives are clear: expose BJP's failures and combat misinformation. They utilize digital outreach, public gatherings, and cultural initiatives to mobilize voters and counter divisive rhetoric. The collective's efforts are aiding opposition parties like the Congress. However, it asserts non-partisan status, focusing solely on ousting the BJP from power.

Expanding its reach, Eddelu Karnataka recently organized a 'Wake Up India' meeting in New Delhi, with over 80 civil society activists participating. Collaboration has grown in states like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Bihar, indicating rising discontent with the ruling dispensation.

The collective sees the opinion-making endorsements, including that of actor-politician Prakash Raj as a sign of broad opposition to BJP. Eddelu Karnataka also acknowledges the contributions of vocal critics and intellectuals in their campaign, despite lingering apprehensions among the middle class.

Hope in INDIA Alliance 

Looking ahead to the elections, Eddelu Karnataka sees promise in the newly formed INDIA alliance, viewing it as a formidable challenger to the BJP-led NDA. Citing regional discontent and coalition dynamics, they paint a picture of waning BJP influence, particularly outside of Uttar Pradesh.