The main opposition party, the BJP, should in particular pay attention to the lessons of 2009. Sudheendra Kulkarni, L.K. Advani’s aide, has, in a soul-searching piece, pointed out that the acceptability of the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is limited even within Hindu communities. Their philosophy, which is stuck in a time warp, is such that a large section of Indian society automatically gets excluded. The BJP, by reflecting this sort of thinking, has not been able to overcome the handicap of a limited social base. Its growth gets stymied beyond a point. Even at its peak in 1998 and 1999 when it was led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee — a leader with an inclusive image — it plateaued; in both years it got 182 seats. If it fails to read the warning signs, the BJP could end up as a dinosaur in the era of inclusiveness.

coomi.kapoor@expressindia.com