On one hand, there is the famous 'bulldozer model' of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and on the other hand, there is the massive development of 'expressways and infrastructure' of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. From Delhi's Lutyens Zone to Nagpur's Reshimbagh, there is only one discussion going on everywhere that who is going to be the first choice of the Sangh and the public?
RSS's alleged 'secret survey' and the stir in Delhi
There is a strong discussion in the political circles that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has conducted an internal survey to decide the future strategy. Although there has been no official confirmation from the Sangh, sources claim that in this 'secret report' the popularity of the possible faces of 2029 has been closely assessed. It is reported that in this survey, public opinion seems to be divided into two clear parts. While the youth and staunch Hindutva supporters are fans of Yogi Adityanath's strict rule, the middle class and business class are considering Nitin Gadkari's progressive image and his outspoken style of working as the most suitable for the post of Prime Minister.
Yogi's 'Bulldozer Model' vs Gadkari's 'Development Path'
The example of 'Law and Order' that Yogi Adityanath has set in a huge and politically complex state like Uttar Pradesh has established him as a 'strong leader' at the national level. His supporters believe that the country needs a Prime Minister who can take tough decisions without fear. On the other hand, Nitin Gadkari is called the 'development man' of BJP. The biggest strength of Gadkari, who maintains his acceptability even among the opposition parties without getting into any controversy, is his 'performance'. Gadkari's vision is to connect India through hi-tech roads, which the people of the country have seen coming to fruition.
Rumblings of 'cold war' within BJP?
Is there any secret tussle going on within BJP regarding leadership? Political analysts believe that a 'silent war' like situation is being created within the party. A section of the party wants BJP to move forward more strongly on its ideological agenda i.e. Hindutva, for which there can be no better face than Yogi Adityanath. At the same time, the other camp wants to keep Nitin Gadkari ahead by giving priority to 'all-inclusive' politics and economic progress. In recent times, experts are looking at the changes in the organizational structure of the party and the statements of big leaders through the lens of this 'cold war'.
War on social media: Who is number 1?
If we look at social media trends, Yogi Adityanath's popularity seems no less than that of a superstar. The huge crowds that turn out at his rallies and his dominance on digital platforms keep him far ahead in this race. But the number of 'silent voters' who praise Nitin Gadkari's simplicity and his work is also not small. Recent surveys like 'Mood of the Nation' also indicate that after Prime Minister Modi, there is a close contest between Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath and Nitin Gadkari.
The road to 2029: development or legacy?
The election race of 2029 may seem far away, but its chessboard has already started being laid. The biggest challenge before BJP is to maintain its 'brand image'. Will the party choose Yogi's 'legacy and discipline' or bet on Gadkari's 'development and foresight'? From the Nagpur headquarters of RSS to the BJP office at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg in Delhi, expert strategists are busy solving this puzzle. At present, the public is silent, but this war between 'Bulldozer' and 'Highway' is going to decide both the direction and condition of Indian politics in the future.
