Pranab Mukherjee is no doubt a statesman who served as former President, former Union Minister and as senior Congress leader in his long political career. Naturally, it came as a big surprise why the BJP government conferred the Bharat Ratna on him ahead of the general election. It is generally accepted that Pranab did not get enough attention he deserved for all his services in the Congress party. This is one reason why the BJP has now showed its soft corner for him to attract his followers.

Analysts say there is a bigger reason behind the Modi-Shah duo’s plan. Pranab is a highly respected personality among the Bengali diaspora within West Bengal and outside. By conferring the award, the BJP is expecting to gain the sympathy and support of Bengali voters all over. Especially, PM Modi wants the BJP to compete and upset Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal.

The Bengal Congress unit is facing a crisis of its own and it is not able to give a strong fight. They are fearing the BJP will now win over many Congress sympathisers as it honoured Pranab Mukherjee with the country’s highest civilian award. In recent poll surveys, the BJP is not considered a favourite any more which is why it is trying to capture all possible vote banks. This is to be in a safe zone in coming election.

G.Ravikiran