Will Padmavati resurrect BJP’s fortune in UP civic polls?

The controversy over Padmavati could not have come at a better time for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Yogi Adityanath-led UP government is facing the first litmus test in form of civic body elections and the government is trying to use this film to placate Hindus, particularly those from the upper castes.

On Wednesday evening, the Yogi government shot off a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, asking it to look into the controversy over the upcoming Bollywood film Padmavati . The letter sought to inform the Film Censor Board of the annoyance of the people of the country.

It said that wrong depiction of Rani Padmavati’s character in the Sanjay Leela Bansali film has annoyed people of the entire country. Hence, the Censor Board should look into the matter seriously as protests started soon after the release of the trailer of the film in October, it adds. It says various organisations also held press conferences and went to court seeking stay on the film’s release and had warned to even burn down movie theatres.

The letter, written by the state home department, also said that the film is slated for release on December 1 and has asked for postponing the release. The reasons cited are counting of votes of the civic polls on December 1 and Baravafat to be observed on December 2.

“The release of the film on December 1 could create a severe law and order problem in UP. Hence, the date of the release of the film should be deferred ,” the letter said which was released to the media on Wedesday night.

Interestingly, the letter from Home department was issued after the Director General of Police  (DGP), Sulkhan Singh, had directed all district police chiefs to ensure peace while Padmavati ran in theatres. This letter from DGP’s office was released on Wednesday afternoon. So, if the police is ready with its security bandobast, why is the state home department asking the Censor Board to intervene.

Insiders say that BJP is facing a tough time in local body elections. The Yogi government has failed to live up to the expectations of people. Moreover, demonetisation and GST could prove a requiem for the party. The BJP leadership knows that if it fails to win the civic polls, it would be a loss of face for it because it has been strong in urban areas.

The ground report is not very encouraging. Therefore, the Chief Minister has himself taken up the cudgel of the star campaigner and would be holding over 30 rallies. “It has never happened in UP that a Chief Minister would address so many rallies that too for local body elections. Everyday Yogi is addressing 2-3 rallies. This shows that he is nervous,” SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhry said.

In this scenario, will Padmavati resurrect BJP’s fortunes? Only time will tell.