Another election, another mesmerizing dance of democracy, another roller coaster ride for voters but in the end democracy has won again. Unprecedented-historic win in Gujarat, extremely good performance in Himachal and Delhi MCD, once again establishes the fact that ‘Charismatic Brand PM Modi’ is intact and still ruling the hearts of Indian public Pan India, across different states, across different religions, across different social fabrics. There has been no match at all between Modi factor and any other opposition leader. Once again micro management at booth level paid the dividend as Modi- Shah duo has once again delivered Gujarat to BJP despite out of Gujarat politics for almost nine years, a life time achievement with no parallel in history of Indian elections. By winning a state for consecutive seventh time BJP has equalled the record of Left who had also won West Bengal seven consecutive terms to rule for 35 years in a row. This victory is sweetest of all as it also broke the earlier highest tally record of Congress’ 149 seats. Women and youth have voted en masse for BJP as its vote share surged to 53% from 49% of last election. Most important factor is that SC and ST have also voted in majority for BJP, as it has bagged 34 of 40 reserved SC/ST seats. Though not able to perform tally wise but AAP with 13% vote share has been successful in dragging Congress to all time low 28% only. Consolation takeaway for AAP is that now it is a registered National Party, will get an office in national capital and residential bungalow for party president. NOTA has been inconsequential as compared to past election.
Himachal kept its track record intact, voting out ruling party again, be it BJP or Congress, totally irrelevant whether Congress is at Centre or BJP. A peek into Himachal polls is also importantly interesting as 1% vote share difference has resulted in net 15 seats difference between BJP and Congress. Fact is that out of 8 BJP rebels, 3 won their seats. Congress has tasted much needed victory, an important moment otherwise for a deflated party. AAP draws a blank in HP and this gives a clear cut message freebies don’t guarantee victory every time and local issues like non governance or new pension scheme or unemployment are more important for public. It is to the credit of PM Modi whose unblemished image and development plank could garner 42.99% vote share, local leaders’ performance and infighting caused BJP’s downfall otherwise they were on the verge of repeating Uttarakhand in Himachal also. Same has been the case in Delhi MCD also where not up to mark performance of BJP Corporators, despite 15 years of ruling MCD, dragged BJP to defeat and it is due to Modi image solely they have been able to cross hundred mark and BJP able to give tough challenge to AAP. It is worth noting that public has been very sensitive about corruption and out rightly rejected the candidates even in the constituencies of AAP stalwarts Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Satyender Jain. Same has been the case of foot in mouth type leaders, even BJP MLA’s and MPs of this category have been shown the door by public. This is the age of social media where facts travel faster than the news channels and election results have been in sync with a simple fact that performance of last five years matter and nothing else. You can fool voters once but not every time. Simultaneous by election results in five states for six assembly constituencies are mixed bag, BJP and Congress winning 2 each, RLD and BJD one each. BJP wrested one in Bihar from RJD-JD(U) alliance but BJP candidate, wife of 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots convict MLA, lost to RLD in UP, however, BJP won from Samajwadi Party bastion Rampur. Samajwadi Party’s Dimple Yadav wins Mainpuri LS seat.
These election results have clear cut messages for Jammu and Kashmir, in line for elections anytime now. In Himachal, local BJP leaders non performance have miserably failed to deliver and as such no place for complacency. Youth, as in other states, is going to play a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir elections also and with current unemployment trend they can be deciding factor. Public’s sensitivity to corruption has been exemplary as such all leaders whose name have been in public domain for corruption and non performance must be sidelined. There is absolutely no place for dead wood now and sooner they are out of public view better it will be for the party. Most important will be conversion of Kashmir’s unprecedented visible development into ability to win seats, pre and post poll alliances playing crucial role. Poll boycotts and past Tuglaqi farmans people have not forgotten, the havoc leashed on them for last three decades by dynasts and mayhem and bloodshed for the sake of vote banks politics is totally unacceptable now and will be rejected in Jammu and Kashmir also, as and when elections are held here. From each and every constituency throughout the country message is clear, caste, religion, vote bank and freebies politics is not going to work anymore. Candidates and development are going to be deciding factors here in Jammu and Kashmir.
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