Vajpayee believed that a shining India campaign would have been Bhartiya Janta Party’s best electoral bet given the satisfaction of the electorate. Thus, the party went from pillar to post in persuading the public opinions on how Vajpayee’s tenure progressively transformed their fortunes and faith for the better promising them pride and prosperity. But was it sufficient in delivering an electoral title for the Bhartiya Janta Party in 2004?
The key difference between Vajpayee and Modi was Modi’s proficiency in engaging with his audience.
A question that haunts our mind given Vajpayee’s leadership, authority, command, and commitment. Indian politics demands nurturing a constituency of command, co-operation, and compassion which was a part of Vajpayee’s political purchase and personality. I am of the understanding that probity came first as Vajpayee never tolerated being untrue to himself as for his electoral debacle in 2004 which was a product of misinterpreting the aspirations of the people with a consciously curated cultural nationalism of the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Despite Kargil, Lahore, and Pokhran, Vajpayee missed the opportunity to involve and engage with his audience. Take Modi for example, communicating all his decisions to this electorate through his monologues rather than a press briefing subject to scrutiny. In this context, catchy punches and phrases make up for interesting political readings and analyses like the one we have before us- ‘Aatma nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
You may not have employment, education, and healthcare, but you can still become ‘aatma nirbhar‘ by ordering an arrangement for it. The state will simply be an onlooker jumping only when it is extremely required by partially providing inputs and support. Monumental mismanagement has been the chief characteristic of the center as it is least bothered to mend its ties and collaborations with the states for ensuring people’s well-being and betterment.
How will it be guaranteed if the center scrubs its hands from its responsibilities? Look, how people have been grappling for basic resources with a Covid spike refusing to spare them? PM Modi should perform more than presenting his experiences, methods, and memories to his rivals and competitors.
Rather, ringing illustrations from the power of his deeds rather than words which can wait for a little. Mr. Prime Minister should remember that Covid is a reality and not rhetoric having the potential to infect anyone of us. I predict a repeat of 2004 in 2024 for Modi if he fails to take a lesson from his misses as still there is enough opportunity for him which can be materialized for the better.