'Freebies' strategy of Congress that destroyed 'Modi brand' 

BENGALURU: It was the promise of freebies that gave the Congress a historic victory in Karnataka, breaking even the mighty Modi brand.

Congress had given five promises like 10 kg of rice per month, 200 units of free electricity, Rs 3000 unemployment allowance per month for youth, Rs 2000 per month for housewives, and free bus travel for women. This led to an influx of women to the polls and record polling in villages. These promises are what granted Congress an upper hand everywhere in the state except the Mangalore region. In the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections last November, the Congress came to power promising 300 units of free electricity, Rs 1,500 for housewives, and the restoration of the old pension system. The same political strategy was followed in Karnataka as well. A well-equipped party system under the leadership of DK Shivakumar with financial support ensured victory.

Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Priyanka Gandhi's road show, Sonia Gandhi's campaign and anti-incumbency sentiment against the Bommai government, including corruption allegations, have also benefited the Congress immensely.

Caste rivalry and lack of leadership

BJP is lacking a strong leader since the replacement of BS Yeddyurappa who had high influence in the Lingayat group. The tug-of-war between the Brahmin lobby and the Lingayat faction weakened the party. Corruption and mismanagement in governance increased as well. The party did two things to overcome all this. One was campaigning that focused on the Modi brand. The second was the list of candidates which included new faces. This is what avoided a major loss. The campaign turned communal with the announcement in the Congress manifesto to ban the Bajrang Dal, which did little good in the polls. The overemphasis on communal measures during the BJP rule, the hijab controversy, cow slaughter ban, removal of Muslim reservation, Tippu Sultan controversy, etc., alienated voters in IT and tourism booming urban areas. BJP's strength lies in urban areas.

Janata Dal as a family party

In Janata Dal, which was reduced to the status of Deve Gowda and his children, the dispute between his sons Revanna and Kumaraswamy became a political failure. The party that once had a lone majority in the state and made Deve Gowda the Prime Minister is now confined to a few districts like Mysore, Mandya, Hassan, and Ramanagara. Leaders including Siddaramaiah left JDS fed up with family politics. From Deve Gowda and his sons, the party has gone to the position of Kumaraswamy and his son. There is no need to look for other reasons for massive failure.