BJP to capitalise on JNU controversy with 3-day national roadshow

The BJP is planning a three-day national road show between February 18 and 20 to capitalise on the debate on nationalism that was sparked by the arrest of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after they organised a protest meeting against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru.

"Nationalism has always been the USP of both the RSS and the BJP. We have been proud of it since the inception of the party and will brook no insult or attack on it," said a BJP general secretary.

The debate raised by sedition charges made against JNU students who reportedly chanted anti-national slogans during their protest meeting on 9 February has given the party an opportunity to woo the youth across caste barriers, say BJP leaders.

The BJP had lost some of its support base during its handling of the 17 January suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad University, when the ruling party was seen as anti-Dalit.

"Modi has the image of a nationalist leader who can unite people. The nationalism debate will also help reinforce his charisma," the BJP general secretary said.

Feedback from the BJP's state units convinced the party to take the Afzal Guru controversy on the road, said a cabinet minister.

"We are really concerned about our sovereignty being questioned and the threat to country's unity and integrity," said the cabinet minister. "Let there be an opinion poll and you will know what the mood of the people is. It is the Congress and others who will be put on the defensive. Public mood is on our side."