The general elections of 2024 in democratic India or Bharat never fail to spring surprise, whether before the polls or after. At present, two phases of elections are over and fate of 102 plus 88 aspirants for Lok Sabha seats is sealed in electronic voting machines, or EVMs. The voting percentage was 66.14 in phase 1 and 66.71 in phase 2 as declared by Election Commission of India and this compares well with the overall voter turnout percentage in last Lok Sabha election in which the figure was a very close 66.7 percent. This doesn’t give any distinctive and discernible indications as to the outcome of elections.
If newspaper columnists, youtubers and tv news channel reporters are overly busy in discussions, deliberations and debates about election trends, it is mainly to gather viewers and justify the investment made in these media houses by their promoters— by filling the available time slots or column slots, stirring the sentiments of a politically vibrant public, and increasing TRPs. The other reason is frustrated and desperate attempt by the anti BJP camp to create a false impression on the voters for the forthcoming phases that BJP votes are shrinking.
It is prima facie difficult to see undercurrents and read trends from the overviews.
Some rural community voters, when queried on whom they voted, gave uncharacteristically evasive replies that would astonish their urban counterparts. The voters do not want to reveal the name of the party or candidate for whom their votes have been cast.
However, from what an average educated and logically thinking person observes, it is clear that the anti BJP voter has become disappointed and disillusioned with the political state of affairs and this is one reason behind the lower than expected turnout of voters. The fall in numbers is that of these anti BJP voters.
Domestic and foreign forces who do not want Modi to come back for the third term are resorting to political skullduggery to hook or hoodwink the electorate. Surveys, redistribution of wealth, and shifting of job reservation quotas to Muslims are some of the glib promises being made out to voters by the anti BJP parties out of sheer desperation. These show that the I.N.D.I Alliance, which already had no positive and concrete manifesto or agenda for national development, is indeed desperate and is turning to gimmickry and cheap propaganda in its election campaign.
In the opinion of the writer, the reason why voter turnout did not rise in the first two phases of the election is that the polling date was on a working day instead of a Sunday. If the polling had been conducted on a Sunday or a declared public holiday, voter turnout would have been higher.
In fact, it is the TINA factor that is taking centre-stage. There is no alternative other than BJP for a progressive national journey ahead.
The BJP should concentrate on highlighting its achievements of the last ten years for the next rounds of polling. Achievements have been many and unprecedented. The country’s infrastructure development has received a quantum boost. Its defence capability has been significantly bolstered. Law and order have tremendously improved. Terrorism and insurgencies have been contained. Performance on the foreign affairs and diplomacy front has been excellent. Corruption at high levels has been severely dented. Monumental tasks—abrogation of Article 370 , promulgation of CAA, establishment of GST, abolition of ‘triple talaak’ and enactment of IBC are to the credit of the Modi government.
The BJP needs to highlight the fact that in the last ten years, a strong and sound base has been created for fast track economic progress. And it is imperative to build upon this base by continuing the policies of the present government. Fast track economic growth, for which it was necessary to fill holes and pits created by the past Congress governments, will now take off. These pits have been filled, and fertile soil has been created in the last ten years for the rapid economic growth of the nation. Bharat has the potential for an economic growth rate of 10 to 15 percent. Now is the time for this growth under the stewardship of the same nationalistic leadership that created the base for such growth.
So the present political undercurrents and overviews come across clearly and match an analytical and objective assessment of the nation’s journey. Bharat’s destiny is unfolding to resurrect its pristine glory and stature as the global leader on all fronts of civilised human existence on this planet.
