The BJP wants to play the caste game right at a time when Rahul Gandhi is pitching for a caste census to wean away the party's OBC vote, besides working to dent its growing popularity among SCs and STs in the Hindi heartland. The recent Assembly election results proved that the BJP is good at retaining its base. In Madhya Pradesh, OBCs have firmly stayed with the party. In Chhatisgarh, STs voted for it in a remarkable way.
In MP, the Modi-Amit Shah duo have chosen an OBC Chief Minister. Mohan Yadav is the BJP's first-ever Yadav CM. To keep Brahmins in good humour, a Brahmin Deputy CM has been chosen. And to woo Dalits, an SC Deputy CM has been installed. Analysts say that this is a good combo.
In Chhatisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, who is a Tribal, has been chosen to be the CM. His two Deputies are an OBC and a Brahmin.
Political enthusiasts are wondering if installing a Yadav CM in MP is going to influence Yadavs in Bihar to choose the BJP instead of the RJD in the next election. That might not happen, considering Yadav voters are very loyal to Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar. But a section of the Yadavs in Uttar Pradesh might be impressed with today's decision in their neighbouring State.
