Lok Sabha Elections 2014 - The Metamorphosis in approach made the way

This post was on hold, the reason being, the absolute laziness to publish, as this so called essay, was sent to the IIJNM College, which was one of the requirements of the application form and later in interview several questions were asked on the same. Thanks and Praise to God, I'm through both at ACJ and IIJNM. Which one I shall select you will get to know soon.

Any issue which had received a major national or international attention and I need to write my view on that - it should be no more than 1000 words so therefore, no luck on keeping this one short.

It's time to call a spade a spade! I have made sure as famous Journalists say, we should somewhere confound the reader!

Some nine months ago, I saw the first campaign of Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on television, I was amazed though it was the first time! Why have they started so early – I got the answer on 16th May, 2014.

I vaguely remember the words of Mr Narendra Modi (NAMO) of the first campaign, but I could make out, that he had a 'crafty' plan for 2014 Loksabha elections. He was quite rhetoric in his speeches like bringing change, in terms of economic development and as customary stressing more on incumbent party’s flaws and shortcomings flawlessly. And yes, how can I miss this, “Maa-bete ki sarkar” which was getting a roar from the crowd.

In contrast, so called Oxbridge-educated’ Mr Rahul Gandhi with his lame talks (acutely jabbering only 2 things - empowering women and empowering youngsters) and his terrible interview with Arnab Goswami (I reckon, if any child wants to learn bad manners, needs to switch on the television at 9pm and watch his unruly debates) opened up the door for the BJP which gave me an idea, that 2014 Elections shall be white washed by National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

As far as my understanding on the campaigns, undoubtedly, NAMO carried a clout with him

- BJP was absolutely terrific, in terms of Marketing where NAMO stared out of full, front page ads in newspapers across languages, commercials across television channels and hoardings across cities. BJP ran a 360 degree campaign that included mass media such as print, television, radio and outdoor, new media such as online and social media, and events and on-ground activities, traditionally categorized as below-the-line. Commercial time was bought big time on radio networks to reach out to the smallest cities. Also, with the tag lines of ‘Ab ki baar Modi sarkar’  ‘Acche din ayenge’ (Acche din kiske Modi 'uncle'? aapke yah hamare? - baba ji ka thullu mat dena - chalo aapke "naik" irade phast karna nahi chahata - apne kaam mein dikhana kiske acche din) which was reverberating in every nook and corner of India.  Apparently, NDA had opted for German Marketing firm for this year’s Elections. And, on the other hand UPA, congress in particular, was no were in the picture. Mr Manmohan Singh - neither attended a single campaign nor we could get a chance to hear him- got off the hook with ease - one of my little cousins, asked me, is our current PM deaf & dumb? I asked, why? I've not heard him speaking or at least respond (head side way/up/down’ glances- I said, he is great in nodding) for that matter. I told him, no kid, he completed his Economics from University of Cambridge and he is a well known economist of the country – well, he wasn't willing to believe.

I’m still not sure who did it for Congress, did they even had Media Managers? Well! They had managers but they knew the result, I reckon local leaders and Maa-bete’ thought, we will win this single handedly. I would say, job - well done! You definitely get an accolade from me – better a pat on the back – a fist pat! I prefer on front! 

Both, pre-elections polls and post election polls, were in favour of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but still then, it will consider, on the view of 1,16,000 Voters, were none can assure that they are honest or candid. There was a lack of transparency, where I feel that Media gave an unnecessary hype (something should be done of paid news or I believe, having an ombudsman for media sector would work) and creating a euphoria, where there was none – media lost out to star struck, where they reflected the undeniable surge of opinion in favour of NAMO. In addition, there is a long list of congress leaders too behind NAMO’s success and therefore, Mr Gandhi tops the list -no individual can be held solely responsible for a party's electoral defeat, but the fact is, Mr Gandhi had his chance and fluffed it. His approach to the elections was collegiate: almost as if he was participating in a student council election and not in a battle for the heart of India. The Congress campaign was listless and confused, perhaps because the general wasn't in a position to set the agenda. The 'face' of a party needs to offer a big idea. NAMO offered hope and aspiration, Mr Gandhi stood for the status quo.

The fear of anti-incumbency was building up and that was demonstrating on Congress leaders.

Moving swiftly ahead, as days passed by, elections were getting scheduled in state after state, and I was getting an impression, that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is doing good at this time – I initially thought, if AAP could get at least 60 to 80 MP seats then it’s hard for congress to make it - by far, I got this assumption totally a way off beam – where they won only a single seat. That’s horrendous! The fact is, the folks, who were supporting for congress before, were the only ones who were supporting AAP party. I strongly believe, due to feeble-mindedness, by the leaders of AAP especially the one of resigning as Chief Minister of Delhi in just 49 days - as a result, I reckon, they were underperformed in this year’s Loksabha Elections.

The 16th May, 2014 - India witnessed an unprecedented Prime Minister – Mr Narendra Modi (that’s surreal for few analysts and reason being, in the style he won the battle single handedly- as BJP sold brand Narendra Modi at its very best) won the world’s largest democratic election in a decisive fashion, with his party converting 31% of the national vote into 52% of the seats in parliament- people of India decided to cast their ballots in favour of BJP. One of the weird facts, in the current case, some 69% of voters did not opt for BJP, yet it has legitimately formed a government which must undertake wide-ranging legislation on social and economic reforms. This is a different matter all together.

Stock Markets showed a rapid increased on the day and Sensex almost touched a record high of  more than 25,000 – It’s just a replica of NAMO’s campaigns and speeches, which influenced on stock traders, and they showed the assurance on his speeches – assuming, that he would bring friendly reforms and revive to India’s economic growth which helped the key indices and also being absolutely sure, that he would deliver what has been promised –well, only time will tell – as people are having high expectations, that he will bring the changes in a flash – I think, we have to give some sufficient amount of time for him to deliver and do not rush into predicting anything as of now.

On the day of swearing – where all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations were invited and the most famed, Pakistan PM Nawaz Shariff too was invited. I hope he visits quite often and relationship gets stronger and stronger.

In its statement of intent, NDA government, led by the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, his another Tag line, Minimum government and maximum governance, has been successfully fulfilled to 44 Ministers – where I feel, it was commendable to merge 2 or 3 different sectors under one Cabinet Minister and a major decision to end the UPA government’s legacy.

I found much admiration for NAMO’s economic model, but misgivings about NAMO’s political model, namely subordinating party to personality and clamping down on freedom of expression. This dichotomy between NAMO’s forward looking economic model but his rather repressive political model was voiced to me on several occasions.

Certainly, I’m little astonished and also glad to see the other side of NAMO in the parliament – his speeches in campaigns were a flag waving, but also demonstrating his communal side of it. After coming into power – no blame game whatsoever, his emotions got better of him, as he looked calmer and totally topsy-turvy and metamorphic in approach- also, said to his opposition leader(s) in a munificent manner, to vie for the betterment of India, that’s uncommon of him.

His ideology of governance (Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’  - with every one, development for all, Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat ’ – One India, Supreme India), reviving economy (foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to be encouraged in sectors that help create jobs), rurban’ initiatives (end the rural-urban divide, provide urban amenities to rural areas, create community assets, improve roads, shelter, power generation and drinking water supply), focus on robust infrastructure (modernization and revamping of Railways, Low-cost airports to promote air connectivity to smaller towns), new governance paradigm (adopt a national land use policy) and lastly, strategic Affairs (zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, rapes, riots and crimes). Strengthen ties with all key foreign powers: US, China, Russia, Japan, European Union – we have come across some great manifestos – wonder UPA dint had the courage to even bring this out in their time or did they? Or is it a game or strategy, where Politicians just put across their manifestos and relax for a decade. Can’t predict anything for now- I reiterate - only time will tell.

I'm pleased so far with the way he is leading, we couldn't see a ‘speaking’ PM since a decade and here he is – being Martinet, making shift timings for the Ministers and government officials with a two-hour lunch break, and many other decisions with audacity and candor– making absolutely sure, there is no room for an infringer – he is ready to take the risk like a funambulist. Also, requesting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to give him free hand. Wish the former PM could have also requested the Gandhi family to stay away, how can he? In fact, he was an effigy, where the control button was with India’s most happening (widow) aunty,

Oops err- I mean Sonia Gandhi Ji’.

Everyone feels that change will occur thick and fast, but none know how things work out in the higher level – even, he might be learning it in his tenure. Therefore, I deem the transformation in approach has brought BJP to win this election convincingly - we have to give some sufficient amount of time to witness the changes and be optimistic, that he could deliver what has been guaranteed.