BJP created history by becoming the
first non-Congress party to return to power with a thumping majority in 2019
elections. In interviews to various media outlets both Prime Minister Modi and
party President Amit Shah repeatedly reiterated that BJP would be back in power
with a better and bigger mandate. While liberante dismissed it as hubris,
opposition mocked them. Ground beneath the entitled class began to slip after
exit polls that unanimously predicted a resounding victory for Modi. Much to
the ignominy of the opposition who were hitching plans to pose hurdles in this
largest democratic exercise, Modi emerged victorious with stupendous mandate.
Modi’s resplendent victory of is a firm endorsement to his style of governance
and functioning. Overwhelming public support and a subterranean Modi
undercurrent has positioned BJP in the pole position. Modi’s stellar victory has
become a case study for political pundits who are really astounded by the scale
and margins of the wins.
General elections of 2019 will go
down in Indian political history as the largest democratic exercise which
wasn’t fought on any issues like corruption and price rise. Unlike in 2014,
when corruption was the major poll plank, the wobbly opportunistic political
parties who presented themselves as potential alternative had a single point
agenda of removing Modi. They ridiculed aspirations of the Indians by further
muddying the festival of democracy with vituperative personal attacks, name
calling and political mudslinging. The political discourses of the opposition
leaders fell short of the expectations of the rising middle class who are no
longer enthused by the freebies, subsidies or loan waivers.
Amidst this crass politicisation of
every aspect of governance, Modi’s promise of strong and stable India offered a
ray of hope. While loyalists of dynasty churned fake news to create panic,
Indian masses who cherished the first term of Modi which was free of corruption,
religious riots, terror attacks simply ignored them. The orchestrated backlash
and fabrication of polarisation hardly bothered them. On the contrary by
ensuring last mile coverage of the initiatives in the last five years Modi
government has won the hearts of the people. By keeping his ear to the ground,
seeking inputs through various local circles and communicating through Mann ki baat, Modi earned the trust of the
people. Through his relentless efforts, commitment to deliver and conviction to
make a difference in lives of people Modi earned their trust. This was one
singular reason why people willingly endured inconveniences during
demonetisation and hiccups of the GST. Trust is like a double-edged knife, where
people rationalise missteps of leader but harbour high expectations. This
unstinted faith of people propelled Modi to take bold decisions. The audacious
surgical & retributive air strikes and the ability to take risks posited
him as a decisive leader. Modi’s vision resonated with the aspirations of the
Indian youth rearing to reclaim global space in 21st century. People
who were satisfied by his policies and reforms fought the electoral battle for
Modi and voted him back to power for promising a strong, stable India.
Congress party dominated politics
of independent India for majority of the time but their ideology hardly found
congruence with the life style of common man. Since ascension to power, Modi
symbolised hope. He represented an ideology which inspired common man, ignited
fresh hopes and widened their horizons. Clearly, a Modi undercurrent has
subsumed the flood of pessimistic portrayal Modi’s first term.
The stupendous margins, stellar victories
of individuals from humble origins and rout of several dynasts in these
elections signalled strategic shift in choices exercised by individuals. People
rejected politics of entitlement. BJP swept the polls in 14 states with over 50%
vote share illustrating an overriding consolidation of support from people
belonging to different caste, creed, religion and language. This kind of voting
pattern comprehensively marked the end of identity politics along the narrow sectarian
lines. While these elections are replete of stories of amazing grit and
determination. Reverberations of some epic battles are bound to be felt for
times to come. The defeat of Rahul Gandhi from family’s traditional bastion
Amethi at the hands of Smriti Irani, “the giant slayer” epitomised the triumph
of hard work, grit and dedication. The win will be remembered for the valiant
efforts and the obvious message of nothing is impossible to the young and
aspiring.
Similarly, the humiliating defeat
of Digvijay Singh who coined and perpetuated fake Hindu terror theory with a
margin of over 3 lakh votes against Sadhvi Pragyna from signified the victory
of dharma and debacle of politics of polarisation. Resurgence of BJP in
Southern states of Karnataka, Telangana sounded a death knell to the
hypothetical “North-South Divide” theory. Embrassing electoral losses of
influential proponents and supporters of tukde-tukde
gang signified staggering rejection of the secessionist ideology. Clearly there
is a rebirth of nationalism and Indian electorate is intolerant towards any
attempt aimed at dividing India.
In short, the 2019 elections, akin
to a silent revolution, albeit without arms, symbolised triumph of democracy
where people used their most powerful weapon-universal adult franchise to make clear
choices. These choices which defined the idea of New India, heralded the
beginning of a new era where minoritarianism and the façade of secularism can
no longer ensure a win in elections. The feudalistic style of functioning is
rebuffed. Having witnessed the chaos and policy paralysis of coalition
governments, people shunned parties that stitched coalitions for convenience
and handed over the baton to a leader who they trusted would lead them to path
of success, glory, development and prosperity. Marching forward with BJP’s
guiding principle of “antyodaya” Modi brought about a huge difference in the
lives of millions of Indians, whose lives were untouched by fruits of
development since independence. By gaining trust, he evolved as a phenomenon.
The silent renaissance, which people unleashed on this nation is poised to
usher the nation into 21st century.
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