The elections in five states concluded recently. The results were as expected. The cacophony of political commentary was also along the line of expectations. AAP winning a state is used to overshadow BJP winning other 4 big states. Why did BJP win? Hindutva, RSS, anti-Muslim, Congress not doing its job, Rahul Gandhi's leadership, disparate opposition, it's not BJPs win but Modi's, it's not Modi's win - it is Yogi's, it's not Modi or Yogi's win but Shah's win - the list is long, banal, old and incoherent. Some political Pundits decided to up the ante. They started talking about how BJP actually did not win UP. It was a moral victory for the Samajwadi Party. For these stalwarts, Akhilesh becoming second largest party is a win that's worthy of jubilation. Ok, I did not see that line of thinking coming but then majority of India's so called Media and political analyst are either compromised or virulently stupid. In any case, it is no surprise that yet again the Media and the analysts failed to understand why BJP keeps winning and they will continue to do so in near future.
1) In current political arena, BJP is the only party that has a strong ideology, a strong ideology believing cadre, a strong view on culture, country, civilization, a long view on development, consistently updated and changing leadership, strong state level leadership and most importantly, a strong identity. Suffice to say, there is literally no other political party in India that has any of the above. Apart from Communists, all other non-BJP parties are either family run fiefdoms or a gang lead by a rabid and bloodthirsty personality. It is ironic that Communists, at least on paper, have ideology, ideology believing cadre and an identity. They also have a strong view on culture, country and civilization. But Communists are strongly anti-development, and when situation arises, they brazenly go anti-India as well. They are virulently anti-Hindu as well, something, they hide under the garb of anti-Brahminism. In short, on all fronts, Communists are outdated in thinking, outdated in their political gimmicks and literally, 'outdated' in its leadership.
2) Modi and BJP have ensured they continue to work on agenda items from their manifesto. Political parties in India always treated their election manifesto as a toilet paper. It's a document they would put together for show. Even general populace assumed that nothing from that document will ever get implemented. Modi and BJP changed that drastically. Not only they worked hard on implementing the points but they ensured that this gets communicated across the electoral spectrum. They may bungle some items (farm laws), they may go slow (labor laws) or they may succeed in a spectacular fashion (Article 370, Ram Mandir) but voters know that what's coming their way.
3) Development, development and development! One of Modi govts. greatest success has been implementing policies to provide basic necessities to the poor. Modi govt. ensured that the marginal sections and poor sections of the society feel feel empowered (Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI) to take advantage of the opportunities. The much vaunted 'Garib' of our country is finally treated as a human being and a partner in the growth. The govt. will no longer play the role of 'Maay-baap'. The economy will create opportunities and the government will work hard to ensure that everyone gets opportunity to take advantage of it. Whether it's massive road building program or building tens of airports and port or fanatically working towards providing piped water facility at every house or empowering the masses through UPIs, the govt. is working towards increasing the productivity of an individual. The economic growth through increasing productivity will be able to withstand any future shocks with relatively ease.
4) Playing politics through electoral way. Since the fall of Rajiv Gandhi govt. in 1989, Indian national politics was stuck in the backdoor politicking under the guise of coalition politics. Sonia Congress was master of deal making and it ensured their stronghold on national politics for couple of decades. This type of politics lulled all political parties into thinking that they don't need to worry about voters anymore since a deal can always be stuck later on. Modi lead BJP changed that scenario for good. Everything has to pass through the litmus test of what common voters opinion. And to ensure voters do get their say, BJP has been fighting elections at every level and in every state. This shrank the base of national political parties rapidly. And unless regional parties change their ways, their imprints will vanish equally rapidly. For now, the Indian voter is firmly in the driver's seat. She gets to decide the fate of the country and this is one of the biggest success of BJP and Modi.
All the ink I spilled above does not obfuscate the shortcomings of BJP. It does not mean BJP is doing God's work. BJP is after all a political party and they will act in their own political interest first. Just look at the Mamta orchestrated post-poll violence in West Bengal, BJP simply left its cadre in lurch. However, within the framework of democracy, democratic principles, party politics and associated complexities, BJP and Modi has changed the game drastically. And it is heartening to see that the game is finally benefitting the common man!
