Congress not lagging behind
An integral part of electioneering is slogan coining. Catchy and crispy slogans mean a lot and they do play a thing or two in the minds of voters. However, for the ensuing assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, political parties are yet to come up with catchy slogans that remains etched in the minds of voters and the aam aadmi for a long time.
The election slogans of yesteryears – Abki bari, Atal Bihari in1996 or Abki bar Modi Sarkar or Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas in 2014 – still appeal to people. Those slogans were not only popular in India but were also a hit in foreign countries. In fact, the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 were full of all-the-rage slogans that swept every Indian off his feet. And the results are known to all.
As far as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is concerned, it is good at making innovative slogans, but as the party seems to be confident of its victory in the assembly elections, it has not worked hard so far to generate an enticing slogan but for the one – Abki baar 200 Paar. The slogan has kicked up a challenge for the party.
Besides that, there are other slogans –Har baar BJP Sarkar, Yuvaon ka Sandesh, Samridhh Madhya Pradesh – but they have failed to match the ones made during elections in 1996 and in 2014. In terms of coining slogans, Congress, too, is not lagging behind this time. Vice-president of the state unit of the party PC Sharma told Free Press that their catch phrase would be – Waqt hai Badlav Ka. Saab Jhooton Ka Chhor Kar Sath Congress Ka Thamo Hath.
Another slogan that might catch people’s imagination is – Kisano ka karja maaf, bijli bill half, aur Pradesh se BJP saaf – looks slightly big. But the most beguiling phrase the party has so far coined is – #kyonki_yahan_bhajpa_hai. State media in-charge Manoj Singh Rajput of SAPAKS said their slogans for this election would be – Jai-Jai SAPAKS, Ghar-Ghar SAPAKS.
Another phrase SAPAKS uses is – Hum hain Mai ke Laal – to oppose the statement made by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a public meeting held on the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar – Humare rehte koi Mai ka laal aarakshan khatam nahi kar sakta (As long as I am alive nobody can stop quota).
Aam Admi Party, too, is known for making catchy slogans. State media head of the party Sachin Srivastava said their slogans for the coming elections would be – Paise par na daaru par, button dabega jhaadu par. Other slogans the party often raises are– Bhrasht BJP Bhrasht Congress, Aao Badlein Madhya Pradesh and Bhrashtachar Mitayegi AAP. IT cells of each party are actively sharing their slogans and punch-lines through social media. But whether those slogans will turn into votes or not only time will tell.
