By Suresh Unnithan
The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), like its ideological parent RSS, is known for its disciplined cadre with controlled tongue. Modesty, self-abnegation and indubitable nationalism are the hallmarks of its leaders. The catchphrase “Party with a Difference” has been a significant tagline for the party. “Zero tolerance to corruption” was the lead slogan and respect even “arch rivals” or “sown enemies” was embedded in its basic beliefs. The party, though had a strong moorings in Hindutwa, was accepted at large by the electorates for its focus on discipline, nationalism, and commitment to human values, economic development, and governance reforms. Its slogans like Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with All, Development for All) ignited the imaginations of the proletariat. Even its critics accepted BJP as a party that stands apart from the conventional political landscape- more principled and development-oriented. The saffron party has been tolerant even to its bête noire.
But a few hot-headed leaders, mostly migrated from rival political parties, with their provocative and inflammatory utterances are bringing disgrace to the party considered culturally elevated. Interestingly most of these motor mouths have migrated to BJP post 2014, ditching their parental organisation, for power and position. As a senior BJP functionary points out “the culturally bankrupt elements who were admitted in the BJP are the real enemies of the party. They are working overnight to doom the party. Their irresponsible and indecent comments are proving detrimental (to BJP).”
Take the case ofNishikant Dubey, the motormouth BJP MP known for his controversial outbursts that has often put the party on the defensive. Recently he alleged that over 150 Congress MPs were funded by the Soviet Union, citing a 2011 CIA document, which stirred significant political backlash. He has also faced criticism for remarks against the Supreme Court in April this year, compelling BJP President J P Nadda to distance the party from his statements. Additionally, Dubey’s comments target former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, calling him a “Muslim commissioner,” was widely condemned as inflammatory. Dubey’s remarks, particularly those targeting the judiciary and opposition, have been strongly admonished, even from within the party, for undermining parliamentary decorum and fuelling divisive narratives.
The abusive and inflammatory outbursts of these leaders have inflicted considerable damage to the party’s electoral prospect. The damage was visible in the 2024 general elections results where the party was reduced to (240 seats, though the party expected to cross the 300 mark on its own. This electoral debacle showed that excessive communal rhetoric can alienate neutral Hindu voters, urban youth. Leaders like Hemantabiswa Sarma, with remarks on “infiltrators” in Jharkhand (November 2024) or arms licenses in Muslim-dominated Assam districts (May 2025), and Gaurav Bhatia’s “Namazwadis” slur (July 2025), polarize voters but risk backlash in diverse states like Assam (34% Muslim), Uttar Pradesh (20%), or West Bengal (27%).
As a senior RSS member pointed out “abusive language targeting Muslims (as seen in Vijay Shah’s remarks on Senior lady army officer Sofiya Qureshi or Anurag Thakur’s “Ramdrohis” narrative), undermines the BJP’s outreach to minorities and moderate Hindus who prioritize governance. “
It may be recalled, BJP National spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s 2022 comments on Prophet Muhammad strained India’s ties with Gulf nations, requiring diplomatic damage control. Similarly, Shah’s remarks on Qureshi during Operation Sindoor (May 2025) drew judicial scrutiny (Supreme Court-ordered SIT probe) and criticism for undermining the armed forces’ secular image.
It’s a fact, the derogatory observations from a section of the BJP leaders, particularly targeting Muslims, helped to kindle the narration of its political adversaries that the saffron party is in general anti-minority and anti-Muslim in particular.
As a senior BJP leader rightly pointed out “for the BJP the real threat is from within” for the inflammatory and incendiary comments from its own leaders are doing more harm than its opponents. It is high time the saffron party takes decisive action to restrain and reprimand leaders who have been associated with abusive, polarizing, and anti-Muslim rhetoric. These leaders’ rhetoric may energize the party’s base and dominate media narratives, but it risks overshadowing governance achievements and providing the opposition with opportunities to counterattack.
Continued abusive rhetoric could cost the BJP in upcoming state elections (Assam 2026, Uttar Pradesh 2027) and the 2029 general election, particularly in states where Muslims and moderate voters are pivotal. The abysmal electoral fiasco in the 2024 election in Uttar Pradesh highlights this vulnerability.
