(Written by Guru Prakash)
With the exit polls predicting a remarkable third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the subsequent weeks will witness loud discourse about the “integrity of public institutions”. The Congress party, which reflected zero depth and a lack of vision, will target the electoral process, the media and even the average Indian voter. Instead of introspecting, it will focus on finding a scapegoat and fixing the blame for its third consecutive defeat in the national elections.
The 2024 general election and the exit poll results offer three important takeaways. Significantly, the political vocabulary of the country under PM Modi and the BJP has undergone a fundamental transformation.
- Anti-incumbency to pro-incumbency
Going by the numbers reflected in the exit polls, on June 4, PM Modi is set to return — a leader with over two decades of experience in office. There have been prime ministers in the country’s past who have served longer terms. But both as chief minister and prime minister, Narendra Modi will become one of the most popular and undefeated elected executive leaders in the history of Indian politics.
In states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, too, the BJP looks set to make a comeback. These trends indicate that pro-incumbency is gaining political currency. Welfare, accountability and an effective delivery mechanism can be game changers in politics. Political parties and all the other stakeholders would do well to take a leaf out of the BJP model.
- Caste and Constitution
Caste remains a key issue. However, pure rhetoric and demagoguery in the name of caste are fast losing political traction among the masses. Caste-based outfits like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) have overused and manipulated the faultline to the advantage of their respective families.
With Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav already sitting in key positions, Lalu Prasad has now introduced Misa Bharti (a sitting Rajya Sabha MP) and Rohini Acharya into the fray as candidates in the Lok Sabha elections. The voter can no longer be taken for granted in the name of caste. There are promising leaders within the RJD and SP but their growth in these parties is limited because critical positions stay reserved for family members.
Similarly, the noise created by the Opposition around the Constitution did not find any buyers as the BJP swiftly drove home that no force in the world could touch the Constitution of India. The BJP’s track record, compared to other opposition parties, on reservation and representation is available in the public domain. Under PM Modi, institutions have become more inclusive and diverse, unlike under previous regimes. From a tribal woman occupying the Rashtrapati Bhawan to three Dalit judges appointed at the Supreme Court — many examples reflect the BJP’s deep commitment to social justice, in the real sense.
- BJP and the South
Another myth likely to be busted with this year’s election outcome relates to the BJP’s appeal in South India — which, contrary to opinion, has been increasing. The BJP has been in power in Karnataka and is a part of the ruling dispensation in Puducherry. The party has a substantial number of MPs from Karnataka and Telangana. For the first time in our history, we have a Finance and Foreign Minister from Tamil Nadu and the Sengol adorns the new Parliament building. The BJP has established a strong presence south of the Vindhyas. Therefore, these exit poll results and those on June 4 will usher the BJP into the South as a potential alternative.
It can be said that the democratic DNA of the average Indian voter has evolved. Perform or perish has rightfully become the guiding narrative of Indian politics.
(The writer is national spokesperson, BJP)