Not Easy for Opposition to stop Modi Juggernaut

From The Editor’s Desk: He knows how to turn events into opportunities. Whether aggressive stand, emotional pitch or dramatic appeal, Narendra Modi knows it well how to create fan following and retain them for long. Barring the exceptions of Delhi and Bihar, he along with trusted and shrewd lieutenant Amit Shah, is winning elections one after another.

And, he managed to get his revenge in Delhi to some extent by discrediting Arvind Kejriwal and damaging the party and its leaders elsewhere. In Bihar, he got a towering personality called Nitish Kumar bend before him. Not long ago, Nitish (An Egoist Politician) had vowed to launch a movement to ensure ‘Sangh-mukt Bharat’, but eventually landed at Modi’s feet for his own political survival.

Whether tricks, strategies, plans, attacks or counter-attacks, hardly can anyone match Narendra Modi. Using development plank, he has emerged as an icon among the youth and women. At the same time, he strategically woos the Hindutva hardliners who do not believe in any sort of appeasement policy and spread the anti-Muslim propaganda.

Uttar Pradesh was a litmus test for PM Modi. More than development, anti-incumbency, impact of demonetisation on BSP, infighting within Samajwadi Party and Hindu polarisation worked in his favour. That compelled him to install Yogi Adityanath (who was not even in the race) as the Chief Minister of this most important state, which will again determine the course of national politics in 2019.

Although Rahul Gandhi has emerged stronger on the national political scene, thanks to massive PR and image building as well as social media campaign by the Congress, it won’t be easy for the Congress or any opposition parties to stop the Modi juggernaut. Gujarat polls showed how he tweaked and twisted things in his favour to gain maximum mileage and change the political game.

It’s true that many people of India are unhappy with Narendra Modi and his government on several counts. Some of them are disgruntled and do not even hesitate to slam him. But, when it comes to push the button on EVMs, most of them will still go with Narendra Modi. Whether it’s his charismatic personality, ability to convince people or the TINA (There is No Alternative) factor, he still rules the roost and may continue to do so for some more time.

People trust him as a strong, global leader, who wants to do something for the country and doing his best to change the situation. Whether his work will bear the fruit or not, whether he is really serious about changing the lives of common people and developing India into a superpower, will be known sooner than later. But, as on today, Modi remains the Boss.

This Article was first published on The News Insight (English Fortnightly) on December 16-31 edition.