There is an old Biblical saying “Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the
sun set upon your anger and do not give the devil a foothold”. And the
Devil did get a foothold in three key states of BJP – MP, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. While this wasn’t entirely
unexpected every defeat must hurt. The BJP, facing anti-incumbency, had
everything to lose. The Congress, with nothing to lose, had everything to gain.
These State results need not alarm anyone but the BJP – they gave the Devil a foothold through their own follies. However,
even for the BJP and PM Modi, these results are neither a disaster nor
extremely alarming. They had the longest run of victories in the past few
years, so a few losses are not abnormal in politics. The results are also not
any vindication of Pappu or his politics. It is merely anti-incumbency coupled
with voter-anger with various policies and actions of ModiSarkar. This will be
a long post but I will try to keep my assessment as short as possible and the
way ahead for BJP and ModiSarkar. I will attempt to list the failures and
corrections needed as I see them.
Modi’s
Congress tactics & contempt for the middle class
In a campaign speech at Rewa (MP) on
November 20, PM Modi reiterated his usual boring line: “The rich don’t need the govt, the govt is only for the poor. The rich can
get their children to schools and higher education abroad but it is only my
govt that cares for the education of the poor”. What is this nonsensical
contempt for the rich and invariably the middle class that doesn’t matter to
BJP, which is also the core of their voters? The Congress constantly claims
being a champion of the poor, the farmers, the backward classes and so on. Modi
is pretty much doing the same. By all means serve the poor and farmers all that
you can – no one complains. But stop behaving like the rest of the population is
a bunch of criminals and nothing more. In most economic issues it is the middle
class that bears the brunt of any bad policy or natural effects of various
disasters. One can be pro-poor without
having to make anyone else the villain or enemy of society.
Incompetent
Ministers with nothing to offer
Surrounding oneself with incompetent non-performers
is the trait of a weak person. What exactly do people like Javdekar, R.
Rathore, Maneka Gandhi, Smriti Irani etc bring to the table? Nothing really. This
bragging about not having changed anything in text books is outright
foolishness. There are disgusting travesties fed to children through our text
books and a party voted to full majority is afraid of bring the truth to these
books? Obviously, education is not a
strong point of Modi himself so he shows a distinct lack of interest in it.
The education system – school and higher, is in utter shambles and
directionless. Four years is too late to even talk about changes now. Besides,
some of these foolish ministers have gone “Samparking”
with BJP-haters like Kiran Shaw, Imam Bhukari, Archbishops, even Saba Naqvi? Horrendous!
Why is it you are so desperate to earn the goodwill of those who clinically
hate you but ignore the ones who support you at all times? What is this neurological disorder among BJP guys that makes them
seek love from the ones that hate them the most and ignore their core vote
bank? INEXPLICABLE!
Fake
Gandhigiri
Having observed Modi since 2001, I have not seen
such fakery from him over his Gandhigiri. Swachh Bharat because “Gandhi wanted
it”. What nonsense! Is Modi saying that people are so dumb that they won’t
appreciate the value of cleanliness unless Gandhi is invoked? That is as dumb
as saying that rape is okay because the “Ten Commandments” didn’t say anything
about rape. Trying to play Mahatma and appear to be a noble soul (I don’t
consider MKG to be a noble soul) is a “Burqa” that Modi wears and he is better
off without it. MK Gandhi DOES NOT
represent progress of mankind in any way whatsoever. MKG is the prime example
of a Commie whose ideas were close to those of the redundant CPM and Yechury
and Karat types. MKG also does not represent the progress and valour of our
armed forces. Every political party knows that the usual tribute on his
birthdays and death anniversary is all MKG deserves. To claim that Gandhi is
the foundation stone of your vision, economic or social policy or anything is
bound to lead to more disasters.
Congress
Mukt Bharat was a joke?
The entire campaign for LS2014 was based on Vikas
and “Congress Mukt Bharat”. In 2016, then minister Venkiah Naidu grandly announced they don’t want that. What do you
want? The issue is not whether you want the slogan. The idea behind “Congress
Mukt Bharat” is that their massive corruption and crimes against India must
constantly be on the top burner. This should never go out of public memory or
concern. When you surrender a key slogan, you also forget why you created it
and what message it was supposed to convey. When you lose that message, then
you also lose the most potent message and tool that got you into power in the
first place.
Muslim
Appeasement
This is perceived as the most serious crime by Modi
& co. From Devendra Fadnavis to the GOI, the Muslim appeasement is simply
alarming. During the LS2014 campaign Modi ridiculed the Sickulars for wearing a
“Secularism ka Burqa” when real issues came up. How is he any different? In
2012, at a meeting organised by the late Cho Ramaswamy, this is what Modi had
to say about the fakery of Secularism (video 1 min):
Secularism is not harmony among religions as Modi
claimed then. Secularism means the State will not use religion as a policy
tool. He also mentions that secularism has become a tool of minority
appeasement. What exactly different is Modi doing now? Every step of the way –
Muslim this, Muslim that! And yet, some of the Muslims in media paint not only
ModiSarkar but India itself as a hell for them:
I have ridiculed “Ek haath Guran, Ek haath Phantom” so much that Modi probably
doesn’t use that stupid slogan anymore. And Muslim-ONLY universities? How SICK
can you probably get? Are children of all other Faiths so abundant in
educational opportunities and seats that you want Muslim-Only universities?
From various schemes to public dialogue, this Muslim-appeasement has become a
sore point for Hindus who seem to get nothing from any govt. At the same time,
the Hindus aren’t demanding any special privileges but just an equal treatment
of everyone.
Once again, Modi has been using this shameless
Congress trick – Farmers, poor, Muslims, SC/ST are all that matter for votes –
others can go to hell. Remember, you
beat Congress severely with a different message, following their age-old
caste and religion politics will get you only failures. Because, the Congress
is a better player at that lousy game. Hindus voted in huge numbers for BJP
since 2014. More this silly appeasement, the more you keep alienating a large
population who will simply refuse to come out and vote. All this is in addition
to a non-existent Pak policy, making insensitive announcements of Kartarpur
corridor on the day of mourning for 26/11, instant passports to Muslim,
mindless visas to vicious Bangla Mullahs like Abdur Razak.
Excessive
Self-pity
In 2014, the “Chaiwalla”
ridicule was handy to use as a public challenge and a tool to show how Congress
looked down upon other Indians and those of lesser means. But Modi has not been
a Chaiwalla for over 40 years. In election campaign after campaign, Modi
frequently plays victim for being abused by Congis about his mother, his father
and so on. This does not sell anymore.
In fact, Modi spends longer minutes on how his mother, wife or family is being
abused than on issues to trash the Congress with. Nobody likes a whiner. By all means, point out the abuse but don’t
make it the central issue in your speeches. Consequently, the history of
Congress corruption is slowly being pushed out of people’s minds while a Pappu
keeps tom-toming the canard of “Modi
gave 30000 crores to Ambani”. You are not a Chaiwalla or a victim – you are
the most powerful man in India. Talk and act accordingly. People want to hear
about good things done, good things planned and a sprinkle of trashing the
opponent with the truth. Self-pity doesn’t wear well on a Prime Minister.
Stop
Ram Mandir Circus
Lately, from Yogi Adityanath to various Hindu
groups, including ShivSena, have been screaming hoarse about building the Ram
Mandir. Excessive noise leads to illogical expectations and consequently
disappointment. The RJB issue is in SC and it is doubtful anything can be done
other than an Ordinance that over-rides everything else. Talk to these groups
and have them simmer down on the issue. It
might create sentimental value or stoke emotions but does not get votes
when nothing happens. Ram Mandir is important to Hindus and a passionate issue.
Being silent and distanced from the issue makes Modi a mere passive observer
and not a mediator. It is within the power of the PM to influence these groups
to temper their ruckus and seek patience rather than public hysteria. Even the
RSS has been holding out veiled threats over Ram Mandir. Subramanian Swamy has
threatened to pull down the govt if he is not supported by the govt in the SC
on his petition. Excessive noise on the issue gets the BJP nowhere and it only
helps alienate some with disappointment or anger. Don’t be a silent spectator –
talk to the groups and ask them to
simmer down.
Communication
& Response Failure
Modi may not like media and may not hold pressers.
That is his choice. But there are sometimes issues that need to be nipped in
the bud. It not need be a presser but Modi does need to often come out of his
hole and talk to the people directly through a media statement on critical
issues. The bogus charge of “Modi paid 30000 crs to Ambani” is stupid but it
cannot be left to rookies and whiners like Sambit Patra to combat. Modi must
step up to the plate and clearly tell the world the systematic lies about
Rafale and this 30000 cr nonsense. It
cannot be left for an election speech. The same approach is being taken
where judiciary assaults and tramples Hindu culture and practices. From Diwali to Sabarimala, there is a
marked insensitive indifference. Sabarimala needed an intervention to send
a message to both Hindus and the judiciary. Modi failed in both. Everything
cannot be left to an election campaign speech. Some wounds need emergency
attention. One-way communication like “Mann ki Baat” where Modi plays Sant
Baparam cannot be the only method of communication. Strong, robust responses to canards must come from the PM and not
low-level spokies or eternal media-tourists like Arun Jaitley.
Prosecuting
the corrupt cannot be a slogan
This is one area that is filled with hypocrisy by
ModiSarkar. For over 5 years they have been singing songs about Vadra & co
and still keep raiding him with no outcome. PC, Karti, Raja, Maran all strut
around grandly sermonising the world on politics and economics while facing
corruption charges. The effort to prosecute the corrupt seems half-hearted. The
praise for corrupt NDTV just because
of Swachh Bharat also reeks of a lost mind that has got it all wrong. Getting
back Christian Michel or Vijay Mallya means NOTHING. Where ModiSarkar is
failing is that the agencies do not seem to have solid evidence-backed
approach.
As Deep Throat famously advised Bob Woodward in
Watergate – “In
a conspiracy like this, you build from the outer edges and go step by step…. If
you shoot too high and miss, everyone feels more secure”. Today,
Sonia and Rahul happily strut around without any fear and feel more secure.
Congress coming to power in Rajasthan will also wipe out some Vadra cases.
While ranting Sonia and Rahul are on bail, the govt is least interested in
supporting Swamy in prosecuting the NatHerald case. Arun Jaitley is perceived to be protecting the corrupt like PC and
is on record stating how the Chinese Gandhis can escape the NH case. Don’t use
corruption as “theatre” with mere raids, ask the agencies to build a
water-tight, evidence-based cases and arrest the criminals.
Others
There are many other issues like UCC or 370 that
were on BJP’s manifesto but they can still wait. Nobody is in a rush. But Modi
& co should know there is a wear and tear to everything and a fatigue to
even election victories. ModiSarkar has ushered in some of the best economic
and social policies. From Jan Dhan to insurance for all to better road and rail
services etc, it should start highlighting those and understand sentiments of
the middle class and the poor. Not
everyone sits around with data about GDP and certificates from Moody’s or IMF
to decide how to vote. People like Arun Jaitley who have no connection to
the ground are running the most important ministries. Subramanian Swamy urges
voters not to turn into “Jaichands”
over these election losses:
Well, who exactly is being Jaichand here? Time and
again, Hindus have stood firmly behind BJP and Modi. They gave warning signals
in Gujarat and Karnataka. ModiSarkar did not listen and did not care. It is the
BJP that appears more and more ashamed to even mention the terms Hindu or
Hindutva (while the Congis go around in saffron and temple-runs). The public is
not the Jaichand – it is ModiSarkar that has become the Jaichand. Still, I
don’t believe a majority of Hindus and others want to see Congress in power
anywhere. The recent State-wins are just out of fatigue and anti-incumbency and
nothing more.
Find the courage to sack some useless ministers and
set the course right again. Get people like Shivraj Chauhan to the Centre and give him important roles. He is
still very popular and MP will immediately regret losing him as CM and people
will realise the goons they get in exchange. LS2019 is still only for BJP and Modi to win. However, shun the
arrogance that has come to litter the party and govt and start responding to
people. It is not “Sabka Vikas” that got Modi from Gujarat to PMship. It is robust Hindutva and avoidance of “Secularism ka Burqa”. Never forget that.
