It is difficult to say what is scorching more, the unrelenting summer or the vitriolic poll campaigns.
Never have I seen from the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, that a ruling party prime minister is pushed to the state of booth-level campaigning, relegating his position to accuse the opposition leaders, in particular, the members of the Gandhi family, both living and dead. His specific reference to Rajiv as the most corrupt could have been well avoided. The pointed reference could be a well calculated one, as it will push the offended and brooding Delhi Punjabis, post the Sikh riots, following Indira’s assassination, further distance themselves from the Congress party.
The PM seems to have taken a keen interest in West Bengal, trying to neutralize the influence of the ruling TMC and its mercurial CM, Mamata Banerjee, by calling her government extortionist. Modi also revealed that Mamata did not respond to calls from his office to discuss the recent cyclone’s impact on the state. Mamata thundered that Modi is not his PM, and wished to slap him democratically, thus taking their mutual animosity to critical levels. She added that she would discuss with the new PM, who would be taking charge soon. I am left wondering what a democratic slap could be! The body language at the time of such show of outrage meant something else!
Pulwama and the Balakot air strikes seem to have been forgotten now, but the livelihood challenges from the demonetization seem to be remembered by the poor. PM Modi seems to be centering his pitch on the misdeeds of Congress, who have gone out of power five-years ago, rather than how he intends to undo the scary low job creation rates. Figures on the economy, GDP, jobs all seem to be shrouded in secrecy, and the ones released by the government seem to have little credibility.
The Congress has no firm plans on the jobs either, save assuring 24 lac new jobs by April 2020. Where and who will employ so many and so fast, the government? Is the government already not overburdened with the non-productive and excessive workforce? It sounds similar to Rahul’s claim of ‘Nyay’ plan of Rs.72k dole per poor family to become the engine of growth.
Amid signs of a hung parliament, hunt for post-poll alliance partners have already begun by most parties, but it is not going to help Mamata in a big way. Her strength in Bengal, I guess would be down by 25% in seats and 35% in vote share and she would be forced to stay back to safeguard her flock from the seasonal poachers. The PM has forewarned of 40 legislators ready to defect, in the event of a sizeable win for BJP in the state. I fervently pray that Didi calms down and gets ready to deal with the new government, regardless of whoever becomes the PM.
Never before has God’s been invoked so frequently and fiercely like at present. The mere chant of “Jai Shri Ram” seem to irritate Didi, who thinks it reflects Modi’s ideology and challenges the secular credentials of the state. She keeps a deft balance of invoking Durga, paired with some Islamic verses, though I haven’t come across any recitation from the Bible so far. Gods should be kept aside in the fight for democracy as far as practical.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
0 Comments
As usual very balanced analysis. Leaving politics apart, is it right for an elected head of a state to ignore the elected head of the country especially in times of natural calamities and disasters?
These crises call for immediate response and normal functions cannot be withheld under the pretext of impending results.
In USA, though presidential election results are out by November every four years, the incumbent president is considered a full fledged head to deal with normal and extraordinary situations.
Does not the same logic applicable everywhere including India. By keeping this in view only, caretaker PM or Acting President is appointed in India and other parliamentary democracies.
Thanks and Regards
Muralidharan