After the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is over, some key points have emerged
1) The voter is tired of lies, fabrication, and substandard propaganda. They don’t trust anyone. But after ten years in power, the trust deficit with the BJP is at an all-time high.
2) There is a huge fatigue factor for Narendra Modi; The usual accusations of dynasty, appeasement and corruption do not work at all, as people see the same in the BJP and perhaps worse. Although it may seem strange, it is an asset and a liability of the BJP.
3) Modi’s anti-Muslim and anti-minority polarization is not working and has further damaged his credibility. These crude, vulgar and cheap shots have upset the emotions of ordinary Indians or at least left them in a state of extreme dismay.
4) Modi/BJP thought the 2024 elections were done and dusted after the Ram temple dedication ceremony. But except for a few pockets in northern India, the feel-good factor has little impact as an electoral factor. India has moved on to its bread and butter issues – the BJP’s Achilles heel – unemployment, inflation and so on.
5) The arrogance of power led to Modi declaring his emphatic victory in 370 seats; This led to a counter-wave in support of the underdog, the Congress/India alliance. Voters do not like to be taken for granted, especially when the current president’s performance is less than desired, and the alternative seems more honest, despite the problems he faces.
6) Modi made a strategic mistake when he strangled Congress bank accounts, arrested Arvind Kejriwal and threatened the opposition. Since then, this has become the national rhetoric for the 2024 election; Fear and hatred are seen as Modi’s legacy, two very powerful human emotions. What started as a funny description has now become the BJP’s political brand: He is just a washing machine. Every Indian knows and criticizes the politics of revenge. ED/CBI/Income Tax You see The abuse is an albatross around the BJP’s neck. The electoral bond scam has put a big nail in the coffin.
7) The Congressional Manifesto has become the topic of conversation in the 2024 elections: it is democratic, liberal, fair, inclusive, and has something for everyone. It’s a masterpiece, and Congress has distributed it vigorously. By making fun of the same with communal slurs, and all the obnoxious lies, Modi only accelerated his curiosity and ended up learning more about it. It will benefit women, youth, farmers, the poor, the socially and economically disadvantaged, the middle class and industry (no threats of tax terrorism).
8) Rahul Gandhi fell under the skin of Modi and the BJP. He has been slandered and slandered for long by the misinformation/disinformation campaign by the BJP’s IT cell, and his successful Bharat Guddu/Nyay Yatras has changed his image and confidence. Modi may still sound bombastic on the teleprompter, but he sounds like a frivolous theatrical actor; Rahul, no matter what his critics say, is refreshingly authentic. People love him, trust him. In 2014, every time Congress attacked Modi, the latter won. Now the more the BJP mocks him, the higher Rahul’s graph is. It’s a dramatic reversal.
9) Have you noticed how little the BJP talks about first-time voters? Because Generation Z is more in tune with political reality; They delve deeper into issues like governance, inclusivity, climate change, mental health, social media regulation, jobs etc. Young people are not being deceived by TV hype or university WhatsApp programmes. Millennials have borne the brunt of many economic crises, political turmoil, backlashes to globalization, fake news, and authoritarian leaders, and have allowed themselves to be seduced by public relations and propaganda. They misunderstood the leadership as strict and harsh even at the expense of freedom of expression. Generation Z has challenged that. This will have a huge impact in these elections.
This post was originally posted published On Sanjay Jha X account. It has been lightly edited for style and clarity.
Sanjay Jha is the former national spokesman of the Indian National Congress. He also worked as a banker and internet entrepreneur.
This version was first published at 8pm on 28 April 2024, and was republished at 10am on 29 April 2024.
