By Barnes Mawrie
Since 2014, the BJP has been soaring higher and higher in the national political scenario. Today with their massive victory in the assembly election of the biggest State of India, UP, the Party has soared to the height of its glory. The Indian political colour is getting more saffron after every election. Who knows when their winning spree will be halted? It is rather unthinkable that North-east India which used to be a fortress of the Congress Party, is gradually becoming a BJP haven. In the next year’s assembly election in the States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and others, people would be closely watching what the results would be. Would it be saffron all the way like in Assam and Manipur, or will the Congress be able to retain its charm?
The phenomenal political success of the BJP is by no means a case of chance, luck or magic. When we go deeper into their success story we find some convincing strategies which account for their political ascent and domination. In my opinion, the BJP’s secret to success rests on the Triple “M’ Power Formula which they effectively implement in their political enterprises. What is this Triple “M’ Power Formula? This is spelled out as follows:
- Money Power which is so evident in the way the Party is able to manoeuvre its political activities. Everyone understands the power of money for it is said that “one who wields money power wields real power.” As the old saying goes “one who pays the piper calls for the tune.” So it is clear that the BJP has a lot of money power which is able to sustain their political ambition and win them election after election. As it has been alleged by the opposition parties, the demonetization was done at an opportune time to clip off the wings of the other parties especially the SP, BSP or Congress in the UP election leaving them powerless and almost penniless. Reliable sources have claimed that lot of money was channelized to Assam during the last assembly election. The same money power is going to win them more elections in the coming days and years. “Money for vote” is still a functional tactic in India as most people are poor and are looking for such opportunities. All political parties have been doing the same but as of today the BJP is in a more advantageous position.
- Media Power is another factor in the BJP success story. Perhaps the BJP understands the potentiality of the media more than the Congress does or else they would not have got a massive victory in the last general election. Having money power has put the BJP in a position to take control of the media both written and audio/visual. Since the last general election, TV channels and newspapers continue to talk ad nauseam about the BJP. It is evident that most of the media is pro BJP and whatever is being projected about them appears always positive. The media paints a colourful picture of the BJP government thus captivating the minds and hearts of the citizens. Success stories are being bloated beyond proportion so as to fool the simple public. One may say that through the media the BJP is playing to the gallery. What is more disturbing however, is the way criticism against the BJP is trashed away by the media. Any time the opposition raises a criticism against the government be it on demonetization or on Kashmir issue, the media brands them as “anti-nationals.” Even in the social media no one is free to express views which are contradictory to the BJP agenda.
Recently a well known Bollywood actor mentioned about beef eating and the person was immediately harassed on social media. So where is the freedom of expression? Is this situation not the same as living under dictatorship or totalitarianism? In fact, if one goes by the media presentation of the government, one would be compelled to think that the BJP government is the best government ever in the last 60 years of our existence as an independent nation. This is how the vast population of simple, uneducated people in India have been brainwashed about the present government. But we all know that all that glitters is not gold, the situation in India is no better today under the BJP than yesterday under the Congress. In terms of human rights and condition of poor people we are worse today than ever before.
- Modi Power is the third decisive “M” power of the BJP. Nobody can deny that Narendra Modi is one of the most charismatic leaders India has seen. If the Congress were to have a leader with half the charisma of Modi, they would still be ruling today. Our PM Modi has captured the attention not only of Indians but of people all over the world. Being nominated as Time Magazine’s “Man of the year”, speaks highly of his leadership capability. The BJP deserves appreciation for its political acumen to identify a person like Modi to lead the party. Its ability to rise above “dynastic politics” and give in to “talents politics” is the secret of its winning strategy which perhaps the Congress ought to take a leaf out of. Mr. Modi’s appeal to the general public proves the strength of his political prowess. He has the gift of the gab and he is a born orator. Besides being an orator, he gives the impression of being a man of action. These are all ingredients of good leadership and Modi seems to be affluent in these. However, all his leadership qualities get tainted by his close association with the RSS and rightwing Hindu fundamentalism. He appears to be working at the behest of the RSS. Modi is the BJP’s right hand that caresses but the RSS is its left hand that strikes. If it were not for this shady connection, Modi would probably be hailed as the greatest PM of India because he really has the stuff of a great leader. Unfortunately, the Institution which effected his rise would also bring about his downfall.
Finally what really counts in politics is the “via media” (the middle way) or in popular term “compromise.” Any party that leans towards extremism (right wing or left wing), would ultimately face the music. The way the BJP is acting now by inclining towards Hindu fundamentalism is a sure indication that it is heading towards an imminent downfall. Society has always resisted extremist ideologies be it Nazism, Fascism or radical Communism. No one should underestimate the wisdom of the common man. The Indian public will sooner or later dump any government that attempts to endanger the “via media” enshrined in our Constitutions.