Bharat Bhushan: BJP arrogance busted, Cong learns deference
Mr Modi is given to making tall, unrealistic and astounding claims about his abilities and attributes. Public incredulity about these claims is not something that he can easily work with. And increasingly, the public has begun to disbelieve the narrative he has spun. He is seen as an uneducated, glib liar who constantly shifts the blame for his government’s shortcomings to others, mostly on to the shoulders of tall historical figures long since dead.
The arrogant belief of the BJP that it was electorally unassailable and that money power could turn any defeat into a victory has taken a knock in Karnataka. Party president Amit Shah’s swagger henceforth is bound to be more pretence than real. The events of Karnataka have also dented the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “finisher” — the star batsman who comes in towards the end of the match and scores quickly in a high-pressure situation to deliver victory to his team. He fell short in Karnataka. The impact of this will not be limited to one state.
The arrogant belief of the BJP that it was electorally unassailable and that money power could turn any defeat into a victory has taken a knock in Karnataka. Party president Amit Shah’s swagger henceforth is bound to be more pretence than real. The events of Karnataka have also dented the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “finisher” — the star batsman who comes in towards the end of the match and scores quickly in a high-pressure situation to deliver victory to his team. He fell short in Karnataka. The impact of this will not be limited to one state.
The BJP needed to turn
the outcome in its favour to send two signals. One, that it can attract the
requisite numbers should it face a similar shortfall in the 2019 general
election. Two, that it remains unassailable under the leadership of the
Modi-Shah duo. Its failure has suddenly made it vulnerable in the public mind. After the event,
people will begin to wonder whether the BJP might fall short of a majority in
2019 and its subsequent options. Its re-election will not be taken for granted.
Within the BJP doubts
will also arise about the ability of the Modi-Shah duo to deliver victory. As
it is, at an individual level, both are resented as neither possesses a likeable
persona. Their intimidating personalities and arrogant body language were
tolerated largely as they managed electoral victories. This is likely to change
in the run-up to 2019.
Mr Modi is given to
making tall, unrealistic and astounding claims about his abilities and
attributes. Public incredulity about these claims is not something that he can
easily work with. And increasingly, the public has begun to disbelieve the
narrative he has spun. He is seen as an uneducated, glib liar who constantly shifts
the blame for his government’s shortcomings to others, mostly on to the
shoulders of tall historical figures long since dead... read more:
