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| Modi's Chowkidar Narrative | | | Omkar Dattatray | 3/30/2019 11:45:04 PM |
| | The chaiwala narrative and image of Narendra Modi had left great and indelible impact upon the electoral outcomes in 2014 general elections. But it is to be seen will the present lathi wielding chowkidar (Watchman) narrative of Modi have any positive effect upon the election results of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Much water has flown through the holy river of Ganga and Jamuna & the times have changed and though BJP led NDA government's 55 months in office have a list of achievements to its credit but still anti-incumbency will definitely affect the poll results notwithstanding the poll gimmick of 'mai bhi chowkidar'. Therefore the lathi wielding chowkidar may not have the same impact upon the electoral outcomes as the chaiwala image of Modi had in 2014. BJP are for that matter Congress and other political parties are innovating new and new tools and strategies to entice and lure voters but the Indian voter is shrewd enough and can differentiate between the right and wrong candidate and is well aware about the importance of vote. Voters will exercise their right and duty of adult franchise in the best interests of the nation and also for their own good. Therefore emotive narratives like 'mai bhi chowkidar' of BJP or 'chowkidar chor hai' of congress is not going to give any electoral advantage either to BJP or to Congress. Therefore, what matters to the Indian voter is the developmental narrative and the voters like the basic issues of sadak, bijli, pani and mundane issues of bread and butter and livelihood avenues as well. So, the voters are well informed thanks to the provision of information and awareness about EVMs and VVPATs by the district election authorities all over India. The voters will vote as per their conscience and free will and will hardly be affected by the emotive issues of mandir, masjid and reservation issues but will vote in favor of those who will deliver them the basic necessities and also provide them security of life and limb as well as honor and dignity of life. The populist schemes like subsides and other sops may have some temporary effect upon the voters but in the final analysis such incentives and promises will only badly affect the economy of the country and therefore such promises will not lure, rob and deceive the voters anymore. However, psephologists are of the view that the mood of voters is difficult to gauge and the mood of Indian voters swing so swiftly and the mood of the voter is uncertain and cannot be predicted. In fact, the last minute mood swing of the voters can influence the election results. Thus, nothing certain can be said about the outcome of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections because future is most unpredictable and uncertain particularly the mood of electors which can change at the eleventh hour. Therefore, it is very difficult as well as immature to say anything with certainty about the impact of chowkidar narrative that too lathi wielding one on the electoral outcomes and fortunes of BJP in 2019 election battle. It seems that chowkidar campaign is unlikely to influence voters in the way the chaiwala image of Modi did in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But still there may be some positive impact of the chowkidar narrative. As per BJP all right thinking people are chowkidars for defending the country from corruption, terrorism and other social evils afflicting the country. Now that the elections are coming near, both the main contenders to Delhi throne, the BJP as well as its political rival Congress is busy in one-upmanship and competition on offering lollipops to the poor farmers without thinking of its long term effects upon the economy of the country. Congress in its manifesto has given assurance of minimum income to the poor. It promises crediting of Rs. 6000 monthly to the poorest of the poor farmers as a minimum basic income. Approximately 20 crore poor farmers will be given minimum income of Rs. 72000 per annum. This assurance is just to negate somewhat same minimum basic income guarantee of BJP to the poor. The populous schemes and sops promised by BJP and Congress are only election gimmicks and as is the past experience will be lost in the din of electioneering because election promises are shallow and hallow as the politicians during elections promise moon but once elections are over and governments are formed not even a pin is provided to the electors. This has been the history of our election promises and assurances. The intelligentsia, thinkers, political leaders, statesmen, legal luminaries et al should see to it can the election manifestos be made enforceable in a court of law. Otherwise gullible voters will continue to be deceived by the cunning political parties and politicians. If election manifestos are made enforceable and their non fulfillment made a cognizable offence, only then real and practical assurances will be given to the voters otherwise not. This is one of the areas which should be given a thought by the political thinkers, academicians, leaders and all public spirited people. Back to the theme of popular discourse and chowkidar narrative of Modi, it is to be seen whether the lathi wielding watchman image of Narinder Modi will bring requisite dividends in elections as has been the case of the chaiwala image of Modi which had completely impacted election results in 2014 general elections. All that we can do is to exercise our vote freely and fearlessly and make proper choice of right candidates. We should wait and watch how things will unfold in 2019 general elections. But let us be assured that voters will vote rightly as it is their right and duty as well and it will strengthen democracy in the country. |
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