Skip to main content

Elections 2017 - BJP wins the votes but loses its identity

For the ruling party in Delhi, the elections in five states were crucial. True, in assembly and state elections, national considerations take second seat but still, the elections mirrored the national mood.

For the Indian National Congress, the results have given it a rude shock. With the absence of its ailing President, the party could not put up a strong show and its campaign was wanting of any imagination or astuteness. Still it came close to power in Goa and Manipur and wrested back Punjab which all in all is not bad for it.

For the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, the writing now is clearly on the wall. The party has now left devoid of any ideology, cadre or thought. Its win is purely pinned on the charismatic Prime Minister who is now 'the party'.  Even in places where the BJP lost, it was mainly because the PM didn't try enough. Like in Punjab where the election was as usual outsourced to the regional partner. 

Indeed, the results show a clear trend that the BJP is a totally leaderless and faceless party with just one name to lead it. Their is no second line of command to speak of. Or even third or fourth for that matter. Take the case of Punjab. The one party one post rule was thrown out of the window for a sitting cabinet minister who was also made the chief of the party state unit. Still, the party could only win 3 seats. The  media won't tell you that the high profile, Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, where the current Union Finance Minister had badly lost last time, the BJP did not even put up a decent fight. It's base has now almost eroded from Amritsar and other regions of Punjab.

In all other states where the  BJP has won, the trend is common. On the state level it does not have any popular or credible face. In Goa, the sitting chief minister and several of his ministers couldn't even save their own seats.

The party has now been reduced to a cult of one personality. Instead of celebrating its victory it should introspect on its loss. So as to rise as a nation's favorite party and not its favorite cult or sect.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...
40 comments
Read more

Adopt what is right.....

I see that many people of my age group adopt certain western cultures. School students and college goers are often seen buying friendship bands and valentine cards. I feel its not right. You may think I am traditional and don't keep up to date views. But if you think a little maturely you will find out its not modern to wear friendship bands. Its rather pure pride. Now as I am talking about western culture I should tell you that I'm not against it in fact I find some of the western values very much followable like dignity of work, civic sense, accountability etc. We have to maturely decide what to adopt from the westerners and what not to adopt. Why should we go after them when we have a culture of such great versatility? -Priya Joyce
21 comments
Read more

7 Wild healing practices That Healed Me More Than Coaching Ever Did: What If Getting Better Means Getting a Little Wild?

What if healing does not always begin with another question, another worksheet or another carefully worded goal? Wild healing practices invite emotion into the body through movement, sensation, sound, memory and ritual. This first-person journey explores seven unconventional practices that helped me notice what conversation alone could not, while keeping therapy, safety and genuine trauma care firmly in view. Have you ever spent so much time trying to improve yourself that you began to suspect that self-improvement had quietly become another job? I know the feeling. There was a period in my life when I could discuss my emotional patterns with impressive confidence, identify my triggers before breakfast and explain the origin of almost every uncomfortable reaction with the solemn satisfaction of a man who had finally discovered the instruction manual for himself. I was learning, reflecting, journalling, setting intentions and having sensible conversations about growth. On paper, I was d...
Post a Comment
Read more