De-chained- A massive win for BJP
In recent past, a trend has seemed to have seeped into the ever rigid Indian politics. In 2014, the country decided that it need a shift from the dynastic propaganda and nepotism of Gandhi’s to a much more pragmatic and charismatic stead of Modi.
A similar decision has once again been repeated today by 14.05 core voters. Akhilesh and the Congress alliance were left gasping for votes as they witnessed a defeat like never before.
Uttar Pradesh election also proved that the State and its electorate have the capacity and the ability to move beyond the cast and religion identity politics and decided leaders based on performance rather than platitudes. Parties like Congress and BSP, who now for ages had found their political resolve in ignorance and inept social engineering skills, could not even get a total of 50 votes, combined.
A family dispute amongst the Samajwadi Party, and with an unclear fate of many old leaders within the party, Akhilesh was unable to comprehend the lash out that the voters will treat him with. Many political pundits went on to say: the orchestrated family drama caused the voters to believe if a son is unable to look after and obey his own father( in the land of Lord Ram, who left the throne and took on the exile just to obey his father) how will he govern a state with a strong religious and cultural obedience.
Joining hands with Rahul Gandhi, and giving out more than 100 seats to the INC to fight on, proved to be a blunder. The incompetence of Rahul Gandhi and the already disenfranchised family-son baggage of Akhilesh proved to be a blessing for the BJP.
However, the BJP mustn’t take this win without a pinch of salt. There were factors that worked against its’ rival that helped them win the election.
The inability of the BSP lead Mayawati to look beyond the small section of voters, BSP’s feudal appeasement policy by giving out around 100 tickets to Muslim candidates, to make up for the lack of an extravagant manifesto. Only, proved to have further dampened BSP’s performance. Lack of charisma and zeal during the campaign, unreal fixation with the cast card, delusion of being minority leader, all combined together provided the BJP with just enough opportunity to grasp the attention of stranded and lost minorities and voters from backwards classes to join the Modi wave.
The fact that there is nothing to write about the Congress performance, in itself speaks a tonne about their dwindling presence in the national politics, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The unsung hero of these elections was undoubtedly the Election Commission. EC organisation, planning and execution were not only impeccable but a step in the right direction. EC raised the bar of sophistication and decorum not only in the U.P election but also in the other 4 states as well.
Conclusion
Once again the voters have decided in favour of the incumbent Prime Minister Modi. The journey in U.P has not only started for the BJP, for a lot of things have changed since they were last a majority party in the state. On issues such as Clean Ganga- for a long time the SP government served as a scapegoat for the centre, with the SP government gone the new BJP govt would need to prove itself. The issue of Ram Mandir has once again found itself in the limelight, only after hours of the BJP winning the election. Only time will decide whether the Hindutva power will finally triumph for the intelligence of the party to build the Ram Mandir.
Lastly, Amit Shah has once again proved his mettle, not only by choreographing a strong win for the BJP but, also by controlling the narrative on the question of Cheif Ministerial candidate within the party lines and media.
