If Narendra Modi can retain power at the centre, it should definitely be regarded as one of the most spectacular come backs in the history of independent India. The Prime Minister had to jump at the electoral battle when his personal popularity was clearly on decline. The country was still waiting for the much-touted Acche Din (Good Day). Corruption level was as high as it was during previous regimes. Kashmir was still burning. Naxal-affected areas of the country were still bleeding. Atrocities on Dalits, minorities and women were going unabated. Prices of essential commodities had touched the sky. Common people found it difficult to meet ends meet. Healthcare became more expensive with every passing day. Educational institutions were in the news for agitation and controversies rather than academic excellence. People of India became more and more pessimistic. There was no trace of vibrant India.
Failures of the Modi regime had offered a fresh ray of hope to the opposition parties. Before that the political parties who were fighting for existence made a comeback with all the armouries to dislodge the Modi Government from power. The poll results in BJP’s so called citadel Gorakhpur and Phulpur have made them so ambitious that one fringe leader of Maharashtra politics Raj Thakrey has issued a call to make India Modi Mukt (free of Modi). A rhetoric which we have not heard since Narendra Modi came to power. Rather in all these four years we have nourished the dream that Mr. Modi is the right person to clean India from this current mess.
For such a situation, everyone started blaming Mr. Modi. They pointed out that his biggest mistake was not to respect the plurality of India. Growing intolerance in the country had taken away the shine of the present regime. Forget about being a Dalit or a minority, even the critics of Modi Government from majority communities were not spared. Patriotism earned a new definition in Modi’s India. Used to attack political and social opponents, Patriotism is no longer a uniting force. It has become a tool in the hands of those who want India to be fragmented. The job of the government was to curb these forces. But for reasons best known to them, the party in power are completely mum and have virtually taken no action against those who are attacking the very ethos India.
But just before the final lap to grab the Delhi throne started, the entire poll narrative changed completely, courtesy the Pulwama terror attack. The man on the back foot suddenly decided to be on the front foot and started counter attacking. The sudden attack took his political opponents by surprise. The parties failed to counter Modi’s nationalism pitch. As a result, the parties are now once again fighting for their survival, rather than dreaming of capturing power. Frustrated parties are at present left with no option but to bank upon the people of India, who are tolerant by nature. If Modi wins the election this time, the Prime Minister should respect and honour the plurality of India.
