Discordant notes

A spin master that he is, Narendra Modi fully utilised the reply to no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha to set the tone for campaign for 2019 elections. Though, the mannerisms displayed by the Prime Minister during his reply to the marathon 11-hour discussion on the no-confidence motion and, the earlier episode of Rahul Gandhi in hugging PM and later winking invited all-round criticism, both were trying to play to the gallery and seeking political gains thereof.

Rahul Gandhi is now going round justifying his act and saying that he wanted to convey to Modi that he does not have any hatred against the PM. Modi, on the other hand, is dubbing Rahul a novice politico in a tearing hurry to occupy the seat of Prime Minister.

Once again, PM is using his caste card to win over the BC vote bank. All these theatrics may or may not get him enough votes to win absolute majority, but one thing he should realise is that when he was elected in 2014 people did not see whether Modi was a BC, a Chaiwala or OC. It was Modi mania all along. The only slogan was ‘Aab ki baar Modi Sarkar.’

But now the 14th Prime Minister, who had vowed to change India forever, is in a piquant state as most of the promises have not been kept. His personal popularity might be pretty good, but his party has suffered defeat in recent bypolls held across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and, not the least, in Uttar Pradesh. Ironically, all these are ruled by BJP governments. Humility is a strong and ennobling trait, he should realise.

Of late, one gets a feeling, going by PM’s rhetoric, that he is already behaving like he has won the next Lok Sabha polls and, hence, the derision with which he is treating the opposition. Modi has earned a name for himself as a strong leader, but this popularity faces an acid test over how far he has fulfilled his lofty promises to people. In particular, his pet slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ will be assayed vigorously. Indian voters can be ruthless and very unpredictable. In 2004, the slogan of the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee – ‘India shining’ – boomeranged.

Modi, however, may not strike discordant notes in his carping criticism of Congress and TDP. But playing Telugu states against each other is disheartening. The way he praised Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has embarrassed even the state BJP unit. It has been vowing to defeat TRS in next elections, but the bubble is now burst as TRS will effectively use Modi’s statement to its maximum advantage.

Similarly, the way Modi ridiculed AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and made it clear that there was no question of giving Special Category Status to AP would act as the last nail in BJP coffin in AP State. The issue of Special Status and railway zone, in particular, have become sentimental issues for the people of Andhra. They may believe YSRCP or Pawan to some extent, if they criticise Chandrababu Naidu, but will definitely take any BJP rebuke of Naidu with a pinch of salt.