As a student of physics in the Gorakhpur university, BJP president Rajnath Singh must have learnt Newton's Laws by rote. But as a practitioner of realpolitik, he would certainly have wished to reformulate the law on action and reaction.

Politics is rather a more complex and often irrational phenomenon, compared to physics. Singh realised this when he learnt that nearly 30,000-odd Sindhi voters of his constituency hold him responsible for marginalisation of BJP's patriarch LK Advani. The impression that Advani has been reduced to a Sindhi leader in Lucknow's political discourse is clearly an indication of absolute power shift in the new BJP. An astute politician that he is, Singh leaves nothing to chance. He called a meeting of Sindhis in Lucknow and pacified them with his sweet talk. At the same time, a request was also made to Advani to hold meetings in Lucknow to mobilise support for the BJP president. “You cannot ignore even the smallest social group,” said a party strategist.

In fact, Singh's strategy is aimed at roping in social groups like Sindhis, Sikhs and Khatris whose hostility or indifference could prove costly. As of now, he seems to have substantially succeeded in winning them over. Khatris, who have nearly one lakh votes, were alienated because of Lalji Tandon’s displacement from Lucknow, but they are now gravitating towards the BJP. As for Sikhs, they have felicitated Singh and his son Pankaj, after denying that honour to Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

“For all practical purposes, this election is ‘rasm adayagi’ (mere formality),” said Ibne Hasan, an eminent citizen of Lucknow who has seen the evolution of politics in Lucknow for close to five decades. Hasan's assessment of the political scenario is based not on cynicism but on critical inputs from the ground. “They surrendered much before the battle begins,” Hasan said, referring to Singh’s opponents.

A cursory visit to urban Lucknow's nerve centres would prove it beyond doubt that Singh is far ahead of his rivals. He has also visited Muslim clerics, thus effectively neutralising the possibility of intense polarisation. A small section of BJP supporters among Shia Muslims is not averse to siding with him.

At the same time, urban voters, comprising largely upper castes, seem to be in thrall of Modi mania. Ajay Tiwari, a prominent chaat stall owner at Latouche Road, said that though he had certain reservations about Rajnath Singh, he would vote for the BJP. “This is necessary for a larger cause,” he said with all seriousness. Obviously, Singh is also aware of Modi's influence on voters and is playing it to the hilt.

After a hectic day-long campaign till 12 midnight on Tuesday, he returned home, looked completely tired and drained, but still went on with his appointments with local satraps.

Asked how he felt after three phases of polls, he said, “This is a unique phenomenon that transcends even the JP movement.” As BJP president he apparently cannot afford to show slightest scepticism but he is cautious enough not to be guided by irrational exuberance as well. That explains his strategy not to ignore even small social groups like Sindhis even if the writing on the wall is all too clear.