The resounding victory by the BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has cemented the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ideology of BJP in front of the nation before the general elections of 2024. The results of the elections not only establish a firm acceptance of Modi and the BJP, but it also gives an indication that India is on the way to become a nation with ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
People have been supporting the BJP in many states but the victory over these three states has reconfirmed their faith in the idea of a ‘Double Engine’ government. It is a victory of a visionary who led from the front and delivered. One must not misunderstand the landslide triumph as an alternative or replacement of UPA led government in those states but a positive shift in the mindset of the people.
India’s political map is a mosaic of diverse ideologies and electoral landscapes with recent state victories polarising perceptions along regional lines. The opposition is left no explanations to defend their defeat. The Opposition’s desperate attempts to create a divide between North vs South India and blame political setbacks on Hindus reflect their growing frustration. Congress and its allies have been making some very derogatory and irresponsible statements in public ever since the defeat.
The recent abusive comments made by Lok Sabha MP DNV Senthilkumar S from the DMK in the Parliament, where he termed individuals from Northern India as ‘gaumutra’ drinkers, is one the most shocking and sad event in free India. In the past, the Congress-led Opposition also tried to paint the North as communal and the South as non-communal. AIMIM’s (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) Akbaruddin Owaisi’s provocative remarks and DMK leader Udhayanidhi’s comments on Sanatana Dharma are some of the illustrations of communal accounts, with the silent support from the Congress. When it comes to divisive politics, Congress is no stranger. In these 75 years of independent India, they had more chances to lead the country than any other party.
Congress had been making alliances with parties who were totally against their ideologies just for the sake of making governments. Not like BJP, who stood firm with their principles at any cost.
The recent events are very unfortunate where some opposition parties have crossed the boundaries just for the sake of blame game. It is the duty of any contesting party to respond to such defeat with full responsibility, but the situation has gone way beyond repair. Though the leaders have made apologies, but it is not at all acceptable to treat the mandate of people. India is a free democratic nation where eligible voter has the right to cast their vote and nobody holds the right to make such comments on the same. Governments may come and go in every five years, but such statements will be remembered for decades to come.
Congress and all the opposition parties must change their approach to handle such defeats from now on as India is changing rapidly. They need to reflect upon their mistakes as well as accept defeats with respect. These elections do not show the unease and resentment by the people but a reflection of a new India who dares to change the old school political drama and stand with them who delivers. They may not like it but of course they cannot ignore the fact that the nation has given the glimpse of what is going to happen in the 2024 general election.
People understand the petty tactics of the parties and such melodrama does not last very long. BJP vote share in the south is rapidly growing and sooner or later one has to accept the development of the nation and harmony among people rather than just negative propaganda. India that is Bharat, is committed to be a nation of diversities with unity with the slogan of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat’ and the foundation of this nation is still very strong that no insider or outsider can do us any harm. Instead, we are becoming stronger day by day.
The author is a young tribal social political activist, working as a policy researcher and completed PhD in International Relations from JNU. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.