New Delhi: It is as if two battles are being fought for Delhi at the same time. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is fighting its election on the plank of development works and people-friendly schemes introduced by it over the past five years. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, is busy making this another direct fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, using politics of polarisation by repeatedly mentioning the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests at Shaheen Bagh and Jamia to aim for a repeat of its 2019 Lok Sabha sweep of the national capital.
Little wonder then, the poll songs of both BJP and AAP also reflect their approach towards the polls. While AAP was first to release its poll song, BJP has released two so far – the first called for evicting those staging a sit-in protest while the second speaks about the politics behind the anti-CAA protests that have raged across the country.
AAP song centred around Kejriwal
The AAP campaign song ‘Acche beetay paanch saal – Lage Raho Kejriwal’ (Five years went well, keep going Kejriwal) is all about the work done by the party during its rule. Released in the second week of January, it was termed the “voice of the people” by deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
The 171-second song has since been sung at the party’s election meetings and around 20 teams of flash mobs performed on the streets, in markets and other places.
The song was centred largely around chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. It eulogises his hard work and spirit saying “chala ray chala phir Arvind dekho” (Arvind is again on the move) and “Banda tayyar nahin ruknay ko” (He is not prepared to stop).
It mixes Kejriwal’s images from his India Against Corruption days and as the Delhi CM to convey that he is unrelenting with his work. The video that accompanies the song says the Delhi CM has fulfilled all promises he made. “Jo kaha who kiya, bijli paani, school aur mohalla clinic public kay naam kiya” (He did what he promised – dedicated electricity, water, schools and mohalla clinics to the people).
In keeping with the party branding itself as a fighter for common people, the song further says: “Aam say bhi aam aadmi jo – har dilliwale ka jeena aasaan kiya” (He worked to make things better for the most ordinary citizens too).
Also, the song speaks about his resolve, saying “saccha iraada dridh nischay” (he has the right intent and strong resolve) and is the only politician to think about women’s security.
Further, the video shows images of Jama Masjid and Bahaii’s Lotus Temple to burnish AAP and Kejriwal’s ‘secular’ credentials.
Arvind Kejriwal (C), Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (L) and cabinet minister Gopal Rai release Aam Aadmi Partys manifesto ahead of Delhi Assembly Election, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. Photo: PTI/Shahbaz Khan
BJP builds campaign around Shaheen Bagh protests
On the other hand, the BJP’s campaign videos are trying to build a fear psychosis around the Shaheen Bagh protests. They even draw a parallel between the present day polity and alleged division of ‘Akhand Bharat’ by ‘invaders’.
Also Read: Delhi Polls, Hate Speech and BJP’s Most Reckless Communal Campaign Yet
The latest party video, released on February 2, titled ‘Jago Dilli’ speaks about the protests against CAA and the National Population Register aimed at dividing India.
Kejriwal, JNU student leaders portrayed as villains
In keeping with the attack launched by the BJP on Kejriwal for his alleged support to the Shaheen Bagh protests, BJP’s new 4:28 minute song too is centred largely around the issue and how the protests, because of the blockade of the Kalindi Kunj road, were causing immense hardship to the commuters. It also uses images from protests at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to present a larger picture.
The opening line, “Dekh yeh kya ho raha, tujhe o meri Dilli/ Dhongi dharna de rahe, uda rahe hai khilli” (Look what’s happening to you, oh my Delhi/ Imposters are sitting in protest, mocking you) is accompanied by images of Kejriwal and former JNU student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, and its current president Aishe Ghosh, who was recently attacked on the campus by a mob on January 5.
Muslim clothing, Hindu symbols used to tell the story
The video shows many of the protesters in skull caps and hijabs. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told a public meeting some time ago that it was easy to identify protesters with their clothes. So, the video also shows some people watching silently – but their sacred threads, bindis and ash on the bodies depict them as Hindus.
Recently, at his first election rally at Karkardooma, Modi had also spoken about how the “silent majority” was watching all the protests and urged it to vote for BJP so that the protests did not spread to others parts of Delhi.
The video thus appeals to the voters: “Ab jaag tu/ Chhed raag tu/ Ghar se nikal/ Bujha har aag tu” (Now you wake up/ Sing your song/ Get out of your homes/ Douse every fire).
Shaheen Bagh, at 9 pm on December 21. Photo: Author provided
‘Identify the traitors’
Thereafter, the video gets more aggressive. With the line, “Har drohi tu pehchaan le” (identify every traitor), the song then goes to identify the possible targets. The images show JNU student Sharjeel Imam, who was recently arrested on charges of sedition for a speech; Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and members of the Gandhi family, which is described as ‘firangi’ (foreigner).
Many senior BJP leaders have used the slogan ‘shoot the traitors’ during their campaign for the Delhi elections. In the days after these chants were led by Union minister Anurag Thakur, at least three incidents of firing have been reported at sites of anti-CAA protests.
Also Read: Anurag Thakur’s Incendiary Speech Is Part of the Sangh Parivar’s Smoke and Mirrors Show
The video uses images of Jama Masjid with Sharjeel Imam, contrasting it with a Hanuman Mandir while showing the capital under siege. Through such images, the BJP continues to pit Hindus and Muslims against each other.
Continuing this polarisation, the song says that people who are trying to ‘divide’ the country have set up ‘hundreds of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi’. “Hokar wahan naakaam woh, dubak ke Dilli aaye bhaag, aur khade kar diye, sainkaron Shaheen Bagh.”
It also picks on the speech of Sharjeel Imam to say: “Imam ko toh lagta hai taadaat kaafi ho gayi, woh phir daraar daalega, teri janta kaisay so gayi” (Imam thinks he has enough numbers, he will be able to divide, why is your public sleeping?).