New Delhi: Union Minister Amit Shah, often referred to as the political “Chanakya” of India, is known for his sharp thinking, strategic planning, and execution. His focus is entirely on the success of his party, working tirelessly day and night to craft subtle strategies that the opposition often fails to notice. Shah has skillfully designed political moves to outmaneuver opponents in multiple states, including Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi. His clever and well-planned tactics have made him a formidable force, making it extremely difficult for the opposition to challenge his influence and political acumen.
During the Haryana election, which appeared to be the most challenging, Amit Shah took full control of the situation. He managed everything, from devising the election strategy to distributing tickets, making decisions that turned the tide in favor of the BJP. While Congress blamed the EVMs for their defeat, the real truth was that they had realized a week before the vote that they were losing. After securing Haryana, Shah quickly shifted his focus to Maharashtra and created such a strategy that even Sharad Pawar, a seasoned political leader, was defeated. Pawar’s party faced a crushing loss that he had never anticipated. Shah had directly targeted Pawar in his first campaign, signaling that only the BJP would win. Uddhav Thackeray, who had sided with Pawar to play the sympathy card, was also shocked by the results. Shah’s strategies proved successful in Maharashtra and were similarly applied to the Delhi elections, which many thought would be difficult for the BJP. His careful planning and execution helped the party maintain a strong hold across multiple states.
Congress is wearing façade of happiness which appears unnecessary after the defeat of AAP. Congress sems to be oblivion of the fact that had Congress allied with AAP, the outcome would have likely been the same, with similar results for both parties. Talking about the strategy devised by the ‘Chanakya’; Amit Shah, often called as a political mastermind, devised a comprehensive strategy for the Delhi elections, adapting his approach based on the nature of the contest. Once it was clear that the election would be a triangular fight, Shah adjusted his tactics accordingly. He first focused on the slums, mobilizing support through the Sangh and personally addressing a slum conference. Next, he turned his attention to women, replicating the successful strategy used in the 2020 Bihar elections, offering guarantees to attract their votes. Issues such as poor infrastructure, dilapidated roads, and dirty lanes were highlighted to resonate with the voters.
Prime Minister Modi’s “Aap Da” campaign slogan played a significant role in connecting with the people. Shah also made sure to directly communicate with booth-level workers, a key strength of the BJP. Booth management, considered the party’s biggest asset, was carefully overseen by Shah, who is regarded as an expert in this area. In contrast, opposition parties treated booth management as a mere formality.
If the equation of ticket distribution is analyzed thoroughly, Shah made strategic decisions based on Meticulous inspection of each constituency. For instance, he chose Pravesh Verma for New Delhi, Kapil Mishra for Karawal Nagar, and Mohan Singh Bisht for Mustafabad. These decisions were surprising but effective. Verma, initially seeking a ticket from Outer Delhi, agreed to contest New Delhi on Shah’s advice. Similarly, Bisht was fielded in a Muslim-dominated area, where Shah’s strategy aimed to unite Hindus and secure a win. His overall approach in both campaigning and strategy proved to be highly effective.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was made the face but at the same time such a strategy was made that the election was run on issues only. As far as campaigning is concerned, Prime Minister Modi was the most prominent star campaigner but the way Home Minister Shah used his team made the victory easier. From Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to all the Chief Ministers, responsibility was given according to the seats.
In the election strategy, each leader was assigned responsibility for influencing voters in specific constituencies. For example, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami campaigned in areas related to Uttarakhand, while former CM Ramesh Chandra Pokhriyal was in charge of managing multiple seats, including New Delhi. The Jat-dominated seats in outer Delhi were overseen by Haryana in-charge Satish Poonia. Amit Shah closely monitored the management of each seat, ensuring everything was on track. In terms of campaigning, Shah personally attended 12 public meetings and four road shows, actively campaigning on 16 seats. Out of these, the BJP won 14, with only Kalkaji and Badarpur remaining out of their reach. This success further solidified Shah’s reputation as a master strategist.
Shah earned the title of “Chanakya of politics” not just by his presence but by his behind-the-scenes work. While he remained out of the spotlight during the 2014 general election, he was the key strategist. His leadership during the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections demonstrated his political brilliance, leading the BJP to a landslide victory. Shah’s strategy played a crucial role in the success of the 2019 general election and various state elections afterward. In the 2024 general election, the opposition’s confused campaign and overconfidence hurt them, while Shah took command in all states, making strategic decisions with the party’s organization.
Now, Amit Shah’s focus is on Bihar, where he has already started touring. Once the election of the new national president is completed, Bihar will become his primary target for the next phase of his political strategy.
