A leader India was waiting for. A leader – whom millions see as a ‘messiah’ – A Brand Moditva

Since 1947 as the British left and Indian acquired Independence, politics has mainly centered around the Congress party, who ruled the country for a total 52 years with the odd interval. It was a dominance that waned in 2014 and the 2019 results officially ended it. Now the people and electorate has placed BJP at the center as the new national party.

At the center of BJP stands irreplaceable Narendra Modi. A man who made a synthesis of Hindu ideology and development. With Modi and BJP now securely affirming their place, Indian political history is sure to shed its status quo.

A leader India was waiting for. A leader – whom millions see as a ‘messiah’ – who can perhaps solve all their problems.

A leader – who cannot be wrong even for taking away their legitimate currency notes; and a leader who will unleash the true economic potential of the world’s largest democracy.
Many unhesitatingly laud his image of a mystic Indian – a yogic in meditation but yet someone who connects so well via video conferences and Twitter.  
He is also a leader who says that the country of about  22 per cent poor people can embrace an imaginative world of ‘Digital India’.

India's 2019 general elections could have redirected the country's politics from the trajectory it had been hurtling on for the past five years. There had been some wishful thinking that if the electorate replaced the ruling pro-Hindu party, the country's strength — its plurality — would have been protected. But the election's outcome was different. 

In a historic mandate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a second term to run the world's largest democracy. Modi is the first prime minister since 1971 to return to power with an absolute majority. He is the third one to do so after the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his daughter Indira Gandhi. In the recent elections, Modi's pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) garnered 303 seats while with his allies it has 353 seats in the 545-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. 

The question now for many Indians is: What comes next?"A new battle for the idea of India begins today," wrote Shiv Visvanathan in The Hindu on May 24 when the election results were declared. To some the 'battle' is one picked by a BJP leadership that seeks to subvert the secular principles of the Indian constitution, a foundation that allows religious and ethnic plurality to breathe in the country.The main apprehension among religious minority leaders and a section of left-liberals has been that the BJP could change the constitution to discard the parliamentary system.This fear is not new.

In the 1990s, when Indian politics had entered an era of coalition regimes, veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, a former deputy prime minister, had floated the idea of a presidential form of government. 

Advani had said the Indian constitution required a "fresh look." Before the election there was five years of debate over allegations that the Modi-government was making subtle attempts to subvert constitutional bodies such as the poll panel and Supreme Court to meet their ends. More broadly, many believe the BJP's return, and the country's ongoing march towards Hindu majoritarianism, is a near fatal situation for religious minorities, especially for Muslims. 

Kewekhape Therie, president of the Nagaland state unit of the Indian National Congress and a Christian leader, clearly sees the outcome of the election to be a mandate for "religion polarization."

A surge of nationalismMinorities' concerns about India's future are not without reason. In the run-up to the polls, the BJP made its pro-Hindu stance clear when it fielded Sadhvi Pragya Thakur who is accused of terrorism over a deadly bomb blast. 

Development, mayhem & Hindutva – Making of Brand Moditva

The journey from being ‘Modi’ to the ‘Moditva phenomenon’ has been of a loner, and that of a man who vanquished adversaries at virtually every stage.

Till February 27, 2002, Narendra Modi was another BJP leader and at best a Chief Minister. But once the Sabarmati Express train was torched killing Ram Bhakts and that resulted in carnage between Hindus and Muslims in his home state – Narendra Damodardas Modi has not looked back.

He turned disadvantage into advantage.  Besides dealing with detractors in Congress who wanted to nail him in 2002 riots, Modi also overcame hurdles posed by party colleagues like Sanjay Joshi as well.

At one point even his trusted lieutenant Smriti Irani had questioned his role during the carnage of 2002.

In 2013, his declaration of being made BJP’s ‘prime ministerial candidate’ was opposed by none other than his mentor L K Advani.

In 2002, during the peak of mayhem, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee  asked him in public to discharge ‘Raj Dharma’. "With what face I will go abroad," Vajpayee had said at a Muslim relief camp.

Dealing with all that requires more than the assertiveness, and Modi has shown the single mindedness. And the right synthesis of Hindutva inclined nationalism punctuated with development and him (Modi) being seen as an architect of change transformed him into a big national leader.

A leader India was waiting for. A leader – whom millions see as a ‘messiah’ – who can perhaps solve all their problems.

A leader – who cannot be wrong even for taking away their legitimate currency notes; and a leader who will unleash the true economic potential of the world’s largest democracy.

Many unhesitatingly laud his image of a mystic Indian – a yogic in meditation but yet someone who connects so well via video conferences and Twitter.  

He is also a leader who says that the country of about  22 per cent poor people can embrace an imaginative world of ‘Digital India’.

Born on September 17, 1950, Modi first became Gujarat Chief Minister at the age of 51 on October 7, 2001.  

He had gone there more as a stop gap arrangement after Bhuj quake. But once the mayhem had settled down and Gujarat was drenched saffron in December 2002 elections, the writing was clear.

On the swearing-in day attended by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other BJP stalwarts – there were banners reading ‘Aayo rey aayo, Gujarat ne sher aayo (Here comes Gujarat’s lion).

Modi grew larger than life.

‘The Brand Moditva’ was in the debate  and statisticians did not fail to appreciate that BJP’s vote share had gone up to 51 per cent in 2002 – much higher than 44.8 per cent in 1998 and 26.7 in 1990.

It was a neo-Modi -riding on the Hindu consolidation. The BJP recorded a resounding victory even in Panchmahal and Dahod showing that post-Godhra riots had brought in also tribals and OBCs under the influence of Hindutva school of politics and thought.

But, even as success came along; all of it was not like a walk along the bed of roses.

In between in 2005, he was denied Visa by the US. By 2004, the government had changed in Delhi and in 2007 assembly polls Sonia Gandhi called him ‘Maut Ka Saudagar (A merchant of death)’.

An ear on the ground politician that he is – Modi turned the table; and said ‘Soniaben’ has insulted five crore Gujaratis. All this in a state where entrepreneurship and business are virtues! He won 2007 assembly polls.

Modi mixed his cards well. He emerged ‘protector of Gujarati pride’. At times – he played up Hindutva-nationalist card using the phrase ‘Mia Musharraf’ to perfection and made it clear that there will be ‘no appeasement’ of Muslims.

He kept winning elections after elections and only after 2012 – he made a venture ‘outside’ Gujarat.

Long before the EVMs started working, the general elections 2014 was described as a watershed polls in country’s history. The anger of the middle class about corruption and a vividly seen ‘indecisiveness’ of a Prime Minister in office ensured that the dynastic Congress was handed over a convincing defeat.

Its tally came down to 44 while BJP’s shot up to 282.

Life for Modi plunged into a whirlpool of success and happiness. To many Indians, Modi was a harbinger of ‘acchey din’ (good days) and the US President Barack Obama laid down red carpet for Modi and had even picked up Gujarati to welcome India’s Prime Minister with the salutation – ‘Kem Chho’.

In 2015, the UN obliged Modi and June 21 was designated as the International Day of Yoga. Oriental India was in the international space and India acquired its lost space as a soft power.

Prime Minister Modi – dismissed as a Mofussil leader for his limitation with English oratory – travelled across the globe and shook hands with firm grips with all the key players like Vladimir Putin, President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In September 2016, Modi turned a 'hardliner BJP leader' and a true nationalist to order ‘surgical strikes’ giving a message that his government meant business when it came to dealing with terrorism.

The core voters were enthused even as opposition parties spent weeks spending the genuineness of the attack.

There came another opportune occasion in February 2019 when the country was already in poll mood. Yet again, Modi gave green signals – and this time Air Force led the aerial strikes on Balakot terror hubs.

The macho Hindutva nationalist image was latched upon by Indian voters and for the first time since 1971 – he is the first Indian Prime Minister to win two consecutive polls with absolute majority. Thus, there was a glimpse of yet another transition – Hindu Hriday Samrat trying to get into the show of Bharat Hriday Samrat.

It is not without good reason that Narendra Modi has changed the political dynamics of India.

While the Congress has been decimated, parties like RJD scored a zero in Bihar and BJP’s traditional and ideological opponents the communists’ tally in Lok Sabha also came down and the Marx followers could not open an account in their one-time bastion Bengal.

In the final tally, BJP crossed the 300 mark on its own and vote share made a quantum leap to 37.46 per cent registering an all India swing of 6.12. The NDA percentage climbed up to 45 per cent.

During last five years and during his days in Gujarat, Modi has been slammed for being dictatorial and anti-minorities – towards both Christians and Muslims.
However, his admirers counter such charges. Actor Vivek Oberoi, who acted in a biopic on the Prime Minister, told UNI – “Contrary to general impression that ‘intolerance’ debate has tarnished the image of the Modi regime, such allegations have only proved on the contrary that Modi’s regime has been one of the most tolerant dispensations”.

Analysis of the outcome of 2019 elections also show that a large number of Indians have rejected dynasties and politics of entitlement.
This is the ‘new India’, Modi promised.
Closer look at voting pattern also suggests that even minorities – Christians and Muslims – have voted for the candidates who would in Delhi ultimately add to the strength of Namo.

In his maiden speech after election as NDA parliamentary leader, Modi said the society needs to have higher ‘aspiration’ and that India is.
During election campaign, faceless Indian voters – and from lower strata of society – said they would vote for Modi because under his stewardship, the government has brought in a new ‘foreign policy’.
Modi has tried to make an outreach to Muslims and others as well who did not vote for party as well. He said his MPs should work for all including those who did not vote for them.
In terms of governance, the Direct Benefit Transfer into bank accounts, gas cylinders for rural poor, rural housing and a believed to be corruption-free governance would be certain hallmarks of his tenure between 2014 and 2019.

Modi projected a self image of a Hindu-nationalist, an industry friendly catalyst for development, someone who initiated GST reforms and a man who would not compromise with the ideologies of his RSS roots. All these have paid in dividends and helped create a phenomenon called Moditva.

And the marvel is going to last long.

2019 Battle : Congress Model of Elections outsmarted by Modi

New Delhi, May 28 The 2019 election outcome has been defined and analysed in more ways than one but the best objective view has perhaps come from a senior BJP leader who says the polls this year has unleashed a 'BJP Model of Elections' where fruits of beneficiary schemes have played an important role to decide people's choice.His observation is in tune with the theory of 'Congress Model of Elections' once propounded by eminent political scientist Rajni Kothari.

BJP leaders and a section of political observers say several welfare schemes pursued by the Modi Government and emphasis on cleanliness and transparent method delivery have played major game changers for the ruling dispensation.

In terms of governance, the Direct Benefit Transfer into bank accounts, gas cylinders for rural poor, rural housing and a believed to be corruption free governance would be certain hallmarks of the Modi Government between 2014 and 2019.
In other words, BJP leaders say poor and faceless Indian voters in many parts of the country especially Uttar Pradesh were not attracted to Congress 'Nyay' scheme or the freebies nor were impressed by caste arithmetic of BSP and Samajwadi Party.

"People admired our sincerity and the strike rate vis-a-vis last man delivery. People were content with what they got -- the gas cylinders, rural houses and toilet," the BJP source said.

It has been also argued that the decimation of Congress suggests the total collapse of a political system that thrived in the past.

'Fruits of beneficiary schemes played important role'

"In 1970s and 1980s, the Congress politics was centrist. It also revolved around families and the system passed on to dynasties in other parties. The Congress politics was considered to be represented by the consensus around the values of parliamentary democracy, secularist! and socialism. All major political forces of the time despite the clash of interests used to adhere to the common principles which were never challenged," they say.
Rajni Kothari had argued that so powerful was that 'consensus' that even the parties at the extreme of the ideological spectrum were bound to uphold the broad central position represented by the Congress, the source said adding but this has 'collapsed' in 2019.
Hence, there is an unleashing of 'new politics' and the forces will in future have to toe the new line as being already articulated by the BJP --- a high rate of delivery in good governance.

Especially in the context of Uttar Pradesh, BJP leaders say it is not only gas cylinders and Ujjwala that did the trick.
"The state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ensured that gas pipe line works gets pushed in Gorakhpur-Azamgarhregions even during election time. Moreover, there were lot of works vis-a-vis Awas Yozana and toilet construction and the people admired these," the BJP source said.
Articulating yet another facet of this year's polls, the pro-BJP analysts say since 2014 the electorate -- especially the younger generation -- seemed to have lauded the saffron party's and Narendra Modi's 'image' of a fighter against the existing system.
"In the past, as politics revolved around Congress and parties like Trinamool Congress, NCP or even the Leftists and socialists, there were largely seen as a voice trying to only enter the power-system and not a voice against the system. But once BJP came to the forefront especially with Mr Modi showing his abhorrence to Nehruvian politics, people liked it as the system was being seriously challenged," the source said.

Overall, the BJP leaders give credit to the Modi Government's sincerity in improving delivery level -- through a transparent manner; and also to the party's Good Governance Cell.
Headed by BJP MP Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, the cell promoted the welfarism and tried to recast best of success stories and successful models in one state in other BJP-ruled states.

Another lesson was that people have endorsed Modi’s campaign style.On the other hand, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chowkidar Chor hae’ (PM is a thief) campaign simply boomeranged.

According to BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva of Good Governance Cell, “People did not buy the line that Modi has been personally corrupt. They admired BJP's governance and faceless Indian voters also proved themselves smarter than everyone dealing them had thought”.

Pampering of Muslims has 'hurt' Hindus and others, says Pak writer

A Pakistan-born intellectual and writer Mobarak Haider has said that the 

"process of pampering the Muslims" has hurt Hindus and others in Europe and America and the phenomenon has also harmed the minority community.

This, he suggested must be looked upon in the context of the massive mandate given to the BJP in the recently held polls.

"The process of pampering the Muslims has brought pain to the majorities of India, Europe and America. But not only that. It has also brought great harm to Muslims who have wasted their energies and resources for the last hundred years running after a mirage," said Mr Haider.

Mr Haider, author of what is considered to be bold books such as 'Taliban: the Tip of a Holy Iceberg',

in his analysis on Indian elections said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landslide victory has proved once more that 'Political Correctness' is not so correct after all. Those who believe in democracy should congratulate him with an open heart." 

"However hard one may grudge it, the truth is that Liberal Left has little contact with reality. They fail to see that nations love to assert their identity through nationalism," he said.

Known for his candid observation, in July 2018 after Imran Khan's election as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Haider has said - despite a hype created by Pakistani establishment that Imran Khan's electoral victory would herald a 'new Pakistan' - more important will be to bring about transition in "unchanging psyche".

"It is an unchanging psyche. You may change the Shah of Iran with an Imam, replace Nawaz Sharif with an Imran Khan; nothing will change for the better because dogma remains supreme," Haider had told UNI in an email interview.

In the changing dynamics after the 2019 general elections in India, Mr Haider has said -"We may call these nations fascists, racists, or Islamophobes, but they will not embrace our phony slogans of globalism".

He further said, "However hard the Muslims and Liberal Left may grudge it, revival of old religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity is a reality of this century".

To a question, he said, "But who kicked these religions out of their peaceful sleep? Causes are complex and tragic, but everywhere we see movements for the revival of Caliphate and Sharia provoking the believers of older religions. And then we see liberals of the West and of India supporting these wrong Muslim movements."

Meanwhile, another Pakistani intellectual and a former diplomat Touqir Hussain has said there should not be room for much optimism in improving Indo-Pak relations aftermath Mr Modi's re-election.

"Will the neighbours start talking again? Certainly. But will their dialogue amount to anything? I am afraid not," he wrote in an article in 'Dawn'.

"The shadow of history has darkened the two countries’ view of each other. The burden of the past continues to oppress the present making the relationship resistant to change. What makes change still harder are their foreign policies, resting on conflicting identities and national purposes and moving in colliding orbits," writes Hussain.

He also wrote - "Modi’s hard line on Pakistan is not exceptional" and hastened to point out that - Modi’s "negativity towards Pakistan is an asset in his relations with the US on which his foreign policy pivots". 

"And at home (India) Modi has played up the militancy issue to harden the existing public attitudes towards Pakistan," he notes.

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday had responded positively to the 'peace' gestures from his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan and said he has always given "primacy" to peace and development in the region.

"Thank you PM Imran Khan. I warmly express my gratitude for your good wishes. I have always given primacy to peace and development in our region," Mr Modi tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Mr Khan congratulated Mr Modi on the electoral victory of the BJP and its allies.

"Looking forward to work with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Mr Imran Khan tweeted shortly after it became clear that the BJP and its NDA constituents were heading for a landslide victory and return to power.

2019 mandate mirrors India backing 'tough leader' Modi

New Delhi, May 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is certainly a tough taskmaster and more often called an authoritarian. But since his popularity graph rose in Gujarat after 2002 and in the Centre in 2014, he is also known for his pro-Hindutva stance and in more occasions than one, his government has been called authoritarian.

Worst of all - it has been called 'intolerant' and criticised for allegedly discriminating against minorities. 

The GST and demonetisation were described as two major whimsical decisions of his government

even as the poll results in UP, Gujarat and now the Lok Sabha elections show different pictures.

But closer scrutiny of the mandate 2019 shows - people have endorsed Narendra Modi despite all limitations.

Now, that the people have given a resounding victory to Mr Modi - it can be safely said, the country has endorsed him and his muscular brand of nationalism which makes a right synthesis along with the developmental agenda, crusade against corruption and the spirit of Hindutva values.

That things came changing could be understood from the fact that Mr Modi recorded the victory amid allegation of farmers' distress, agrarian distress, joblessness, a not so sound financial system.

Importantly, the people of India appeared to have rejected the Congress promise of a basic income for poorest families under Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) scheme. 

Mr Modi has also courted controversy as his detractors more often compared him to Indira Gandhi and Hitler.

BJP leaders, in past have taken to social networking sites, addressed press conferences and written blogs lambasting the alleged "dictatorial traits" vis-a-vis Emergence of the Congress party, which ironically fought for India’s freedom under the guidance of peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi.

At times, Mr Modi's regime has been likened to the Nazi Party. According to Congress leaders,

this was largely driven by BJP leadership's perceived anti-Muslim and anti-Christian bias, and their tacit support for calls to ban the killing of some animals

It has been alleged that there was 'refusal' to crack down on vigilante squads and mobs who lynch people for engaging in the 'slaughter trade'.

Indira Gandhi - the only woman Prime Minister of India, also had curbed civil liberty by proclaiming Emergency in 1975.

PM Modi for his part known for his anti-Congress rhetoric, has in the past attacked the Emergency, describing it as a "black night that cannot be forgotten."Congress and other opposition leaders responded by attacking the Modi regime for unleashing an "undeclared emergency" after the BJP came to power in 2014. But most of anti-Modi brigade looked the other way when it came to working styles of dispensations under the likes of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.

In July 2018, Congress lawmaker Abhiskeh Manu Singhvi has said - "No one in the Congress party leadership supports the excesses of the Emergency that were committed in the 1970s. But now under the BJP and Modi, we have an undeclared emergency as media freedom is being curtailed and the central government is grossly misusing the anti-corruption agencies". 

Other Congress leaders concede that Indira Gandhi was known for her ruthlessness but they argue she had good intentions and her grip over things held the country together in difficult times.

They refer specifically to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and subsequent developments which led to creation of Bangladesh.

"Indira Gandhi was a builder of modern India after India suffered defeat in the war with China in 1962. She was a builder of cultural institutions and she had a visionary mind," said Naga politician and a former state Minister Thomas Ngully.

On similar line, BJP leaders and Modi admirers would credit Prime Minister for his decisive decision after the Pulwama terror strike.

Saffron surge: BJP success story reflects unbeatable journey of Modi-Shah duo

New Delhi, May 23 There may be little gainsay in pointing out that the BJP undercurrent was visible across India but it goes without saying that the credit to exploit the same ought to be given to the teamwork of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

The camaraderie between the two goes back to politics of Gujarat and both of them have delivered success to the party in Gujarat prior to 2014 and later, across India in many states.

Both of them were also successful in tapping the weaknesses in the Opposition campaign strategies and it is their visionary long-term planning that the duo has successfully taken the fight to enemy fiefdom even in constituencies like Amethi and state level bastions like West Bengal.

His admirers say that Prime Minister Modi has always challenged the concept of status-quo, a feature hailed in Indian politics and in more ways than one, Mr Shah has complemented Mr Modi's endeavor.
Speaking politically, besides winning 2014, both the leaders have guided the party to consolidate its hold in at least 19 states including in Jammu and Kashmir and North east.

''The way I am working is my USP. I don't think till date there is anything wrong in that,'' Mr Modi had said in 2013 and this theme continues to guide his political roadmap.
It was not without good reason that the magazine 'The Economist' in 2011 had hailed Prime Minister's method of delivery, saying - ''so many things work properly in Gujarat that it hardly feels like India''.BJP leaders and Modi admirers seems to have endorsed his performance punctuated with some out-of-box experiments like demonetisation and triple talaq.

Those who have followed the politics of Modi-Shah duo in terms of electoral management, also appreciate the manner they have pursued a mixed policy towards Muslims and took hardliner stand on Pakistan.Mr Modi and Mr Shah  also shared the same sense of purposefulness against Congress and the dynasty.Old-timers in Gujarat say in the late 1980s and 90s , the duo first challenged the Congress hold in rural Gujarat and also in the powerful sports bodies, specially in Cricket.

The Modi-Shah duo also systematically worked to wrest power in cooperative bodies in Gujarat and once, both shifted to national politics, both the leaders tirelessly slogged for hours to work with all sorts of social groups and politicians to corner Congress and other regional satraps.

Those who know both the leaders and their style of functioning, say when it came to handling Lalu Prasad -- they also gave up personal ego and readily worked with Nitish Kumar and even gave him equal number of seats in Bihar.

At the same time, when it came to handling the powerful Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, the party strategists worked overtime in strong coordination with RSS wings and even did not mind embracing Mamata's trusted aides including Mukul Roy into the party-fold.

BJP storms into Mamata bastion, leads in 17 seats

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) In what is seen as a major game-changer in Indian politics, the BJP on Thursday marched ahead in as many as 17 parliamentary seats in West Bengal where it emerged as a key opponent of Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress.

The saffron party established comfortable leads in Asansol and Darjeeling -- the two seats it won in 2014 and also 15 others while Ms Banerjee 's charisma could help her party in 24 out of the total 42 seats.

In Baharampur, the sitting Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was leading against Trinamool rival.

The BJP nominees were ahead in Bardhaman-Durgapur, Bankura, Bishnupur and Bangaon among others while Trinamool Congress seemed to have retained its hold in Barrackpore and other traditional seats.

In Jangipur, former president Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee of the Congress was trailing at number three.

The fierce contest between BJP and Trinamool Congress resulted in decimation of Communists, who ruled the state for 34 years between 1977 and 2011. The elections in Bengal saw Ms Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi trading charges over issues like communalism, lawlessness and minority appeasement.

The polls this year in the state would also be remembered for a series of group clashes and poll related violence including stone throwing on candidates.

In Asansol, Union Minister Babul Supriyo was ahead of Moon Moon sen while another Union Minister S S Ahluwalia established a lead of one lakh over sitting Trinamool candidate Mamata Sanghamita.

The possible winners in the state would also include names of Saumitra Khan from Bishnupur, John Barla from Alipurduars, Shantanu Thakur in Bangaon, Subhas Sarkar in Bankura, Arjun Singh in Barrackpore and Raju Bista from Darjeeling.

Among the Trinamool candidates, Abhishek Banerjee (Chief Minister's nephew), Saugata Roy, Satabdi Roy, actress Nusrat Jahan Ruhi, Deepak Adhikari, Prasun Banerjee, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Mimi Chakraborty established comfortable leads.

Advani congratulates Modi for steering BJP towards 'unprecedented victory

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) BJP veteran L K Advani on Thursday congratulated his one-time lieutenant and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering the saffron party towards 'unprecedented victory' in the elections.

''Heartiest congratulations to Shri Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections,'' he said in a brief statement and said BJP chief Amit Shah and all
''dedicated workers of the party have put in enormous effort in making sure that the message of BJP reaches every voter of the country''.

Mr Advani, who was denied ticket for Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, said it is such a wonderful feeling that in a country as large and diverse as India, the electoral process has been so successfully completed and for that, ''my compliments to the electorate and all the agencies involved''.

''May our great nation be blessed with a bright future ahead,'' he said.

BJP strikes back in 3 states it lost in assembly polls

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) The three Hindi heartland states which witnessed emphatic victory for the Congress in assembly polls just a few months back, saw a massive U-turn with BJP sweeping Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in general elections.

Congress party, which campaigned aggressively playing up the new welfare scheme 'Nyay' card, had to finally remain content with much reduced Lok Sabha tally from these states as compared to its performance in 2014.


In Rajasthan, Congress had lost of the 25 seats in 2014 but had come to power in December polls.
However, the grand old party could not retain its hold in the desert state as the results were declared on Thursday.


In this year's polls, BJP that had won all 25 seats in 2014, had to concede Nagaur seat to Rashtriya Loktantrik Party. Interestingly, Congress was at number two, according to latest trends.
In Madhya Pradesh, Congress had won three seats in 2014 as against 26 seats of the BJP; in this year's polls, the Congress tally came down to one while the saffron party snatched two more seats from the opposition camp.


Congress nominee and former union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was trailing in Guna. Compared to 2014 performance, in Chhattisgarh, BJP was heading in nine seats this time and Congress only two. BJP has also retained its hold in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's native state Gujarat where it is heading for a clean sweep of 26 seats -- same as in 2014.

End of the road for PM aspirants; Naidu gets shocker

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Most of the prime minister aspirants from the opposition camp, including the likes of N Chandrababu Naidu and BSP chief Mayawati, suffered major setback in the 2019 polls as strong pro-incumbency wave helped BJP to storm back to power in the Centre.



In Andhra Pradesh, the TDP regime headed for a rout with Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress leading in as many as 24 out of 25 seats while TDP managed to pick up only one seat.



In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati-led BSP was ahead in only 11 seats while its partners Samajwadi Party and RLD were ahead in eight and two seats respectively.



In contrast, the BJP, which won 71 seats in 2014, was comfortable in 57 seats giving a big setback to opposition camp. The Congress which could not finalise an alliance with the BSP-SP-RLD combine was leading only in one seat.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing in Amethi by a margin of 4,674 votes against Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani.


Another regional outfit and its maverick leader Mamata Banerjee, who also harboured high ambitions vis-à-vis the corridors of power in Delhi, could not put up an impressive show with BJP set to win at least 17 seats.

In Bihar, RJD of Lalu Prasad Yadav was heading in only two constituency with NDA constituents BJP and JD(U) likely to win 16 seats each and LJP of Ram Vilas Paswan appeared comfortable in all six seats it contested.

The opposition alliance also seemed to be heading for a big setback in Patna Sahib with Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha trailing behind Ravi Shankar Prasad of BJP by margin of 76,404 votes.



Misha Bharti, Lalu Prasad’s daughter, however, established early leads in Patliputra constituency.



In Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS though put up an impressive show but in the wake of BJP’s convincing victory at the national level will have to give up its national ambition for the time being.



In Maharshtra, NCP led by Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar also had to face the brunt of electorate as it can possibly win in only three constituencies. Mr Pawar had taken several initiatives to unite the opposition parties to build up a formidable alliance against the BJP.



In Delhi, AAP also suffered major setback.

Sadhvi establishes early lead, Rahul trails in Amethi

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Notwithstanding controversy over her comments on Nathuram Godse, BJP nominee Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur established early leads in Bhopal against Congress stalwart Digvijaya Singh.

In Amethi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi trailed behind Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani after the second round.

In Bhopal, while the BJP candidate Sadhvi had polled over 92,180 votes, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh was trailing by over 30,000 votes.

Sadhvi's comment on the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi has landed her into discipline row in the party with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself expressing his displeasure for her remarks.

The BJP president Amit Shah has served her a showcause notice.

In West Bengal, BJP established early leads in 14 out of 42 seats while Mamata Banerjee was leading in 23 and Congress two.

In Asansol, BJP nominee Babul Surpiyo was leading against Moon Moon Sen by a margin of 33,585 votes.

In Chhattisgarh, which Congress won during December Assembly polls, seemed to have gone in favour of the saffron party again with BJP leading in 9 seats and Congress was leading in 2. The BJP has established early leads in Raipur, Durg and Raigarh among others while Congress nominees seemed to be comfortable in Naxalite-hit Bastar and Bilaspur.

In Rajasthan too, the saffron party seemed to have gained grounds since December polls and the party was leading in as many as 24 seats out of 25 seats. According to early trends in Nagaur, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party established leads by 33,608.
The BJP was leading in Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Barmer and Jaipur among others. In Jodhpur, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot was trailing against BJP candidate and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat.

In Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was much ahead of his nearest rival of Samajwadi Party Shalini Yadav by 72,318 votes. Mr Modi, who is seeking re-election from the temple city, has so far polled 1,07,511 votes while Ms Yadav could manage only 35,193 votes. Congress has fielded Ajay Rai from the constituency.

In Mainpuri, Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party was ahead of his BJP rival Prem Singh Shakya and his son Akhilesh Yadav was ahead in Azamgarh.

PM slams pseudo-secularism, says world must recognise Indian democracy

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described people's mandate in 2019 elections as one of the biggest events of the world in the millennium and said the world will be forced to register and recognise the power of India's democracy.

Dedicating the mandate to the power of the people, he said it was not a small feat that the turnout in voting was maximum notwithstanding the scorching heat upto the level of 42 degrees Celsius.

''I go down humbly before the people,'' he said and maintained that the election outcome was akin to people giving their blessings to a Fakir (hermit).

The Prime Minister said the mandate has exposed the double-standards of the political class who sought to justify everything in the name of secularism.






He was given a grand welcome at the party office and the Prime Minister walked alongside his long-time compatriot Amit Shah, displaying victory sign amid thousands of party workers showering flower petals and raising 'Modi-Modi' slogan.




Citing the epic Mahabharata, he said after the great war, Lord Krishna had said that he was not in favour of one side or the other but he was in favour of Hastinapur.




Similarly, the people of India took upon themselves the role of Lord Krishna and took upon themselves the selfless role and participated in the elections keeping the national interest supreme in their mind.




''This was a mandate for new India,'' he said, adding that it also shows people's sincerity to fight election and faceless Indians' struggle for self-respect for themselves.
The grand ceremony was attended by Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Ramlal among others.

PM responds to Imran, says peace must get 'primacy'

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening responded positively to the 'peace' gestures from his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan and said he has always given "primacy" to peace and development in the region.

"Thank you PM Imran Khan. I warmly express my gratitude for your good wishes. I have always given primacy to peace and development in our region," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Mr Khan congratulated Mr Modi on the electoral victory of the BJP and its allies.

"Looking forward to work with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Mr Imran Khan tweeted shortly after it became clear that the BJP and its NDA constituents were heading for a landslide victory and return to power.

In the run to the elections, there was lot of tension in Indo-Pak relations and the two neighbours appeared heading for war especially after Pulwama terror attack and Indian Air Force made unprecedented aerial strikes on Balakot.

An Imaginative Missive – ‘Narendra Modi’s Open Letter’ on Bengal polls 2019

History repeats – Preparing for the Impending Storm

My dear Bengalis and respected ‘Bangla’ – Banga Bhoomi.

I am writing this letter not as Prime Minister of India but rather more as a concerned citizen – who has lately seen Bengal politics from a much closer range. This election in West Bengal has seen violence unleashed by Trinamool Congress goons.

Do not laugh and dismiss my letter. It is ironical that for decades, Mamata Banerjee herself fought against Leftists politics of electoral violence and today her party workers have done the same. As much they change, as much they remain the same – rightly goes the saying.

To many, this letter could appear strange, but then as for my critics – a substantial of them from West Bengal – I have been a strange politician.

For years, people’s complaint against the Communists have been that by pretending to be ‘champions of the poor’ – the Marxists have played the role of crony capitalists and promoted land mafia and ‘promoters’.

People suffered; but due to ‘fear’ they kept on voting in favour of the Leftists. There was rigging also and thus Jyoti Basu ruled for decades.

Unfortunately today, the Trinamool regime has turned more ‘communists than the Left’ on two fronts – minority appeasement and also promoting and implementing in full the ‘syndicate’ raj. The ‘tollabaji’ – I mentioned about these in election campaigning also.

I have said during last one month of election campaign that – “After suffering Congress, Communists and Trinamool misrule. Bengal is looking towards BJP with great hope. I assure them – we won’t let Bengal down”.

Some years back, when Ratan Tata was shunted out of West Bengal and was forced to shut the Nano project, I had welcomed him in Gujarat. That is certainly a different story.

The other part of the story and what is important in today’s context is that the communists’ regime under Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had played a duplicity game and did try to help Indonesia’s Salim Group and also Tatas.

In fact, closer scrutiny revealed that the Marxists had gone out of their way to ‘bend’ rules and allow these two houses operate in Nandigram and Singur.

Didi fought the Leftists – sometime the right way (that is correct!) but also took help of some elements she should have avoided.In the end of course she won 19 Lok Sabha MPs from Bengal in 2009 and finally ousted the communists from Writer’s Building in 2011.I will not hesitate to say that Mamata Banerjee started seeing big dreams and focused less on works. She was already in the grip of syndicate and Sharada Chit fund scam. Then came in her weakness for Bhatija !

Kya Karen !! Delhi abhi duur hae !

Therefore, I will not hesitate to tell that the credibility of her government was seriously ‘eroded’ as she deviated from the path of good governance – a point I try to always stress on.

In her desperation to fight me, she started the game of hate – a real dangerous sports in politics. In the process, she indulged in open carelessness and her party started encouraging Bangladeshi infiltrators. Didi started hating Hindus and Hindu culture resulting in people getting worried whether they could still celebrate Durga Puja.The words ‘Ram Dhanu’ and ‘Krishna Kali’ started irritating her. Urdu became her preferred language and our Didi almost turned into ‘aapa’.

The mix of political appeasement towards minorities, corruption and promotion of goondaism has yielded her temporary benefits. But once the Bengali voters could see through her machinations, they knew what to do. An overwhelming of them have turned towards the BJP. This unnerved Didi further and she started doing more mistakes and helping more consolidation in favour of my party.

Campaign Trail

It is said – not without good reason that – the big themes of history are written by the victors. In 2011, Mamata Banerjee wrote ‘her story’ and certainly she deserved all credit for that.
She flattered herself to believe that having ousted the Leftists after 34 years, she was there for next three decades. Her acolytes encouraged her to nurture ambitions. I do not mind that, but the roadmap she chose to achieve her goal was not the path a public leader should undertake.

People in this era judge public figures by everything we do and we do not do! This is an era when youngsters would dismiss Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s masterpiece ‘Devdas’ as the story of a loser!

In the ultimate, what matters is performance and sincerity.
Finally, I bow down before the people of West Bengal.

The elections this year should serve as a reminder of what faceless common people can achieve – the real Parivartan ! – when these faceless voters are courageous and united towards achieving their target.

When history will be written about West Bengal of 2019 – well the scholars can easily start by saying – once upon a time people gave up their fears.

Sincerely - Narendra Modi

(Disclaimer - This blog is being written with a peculiar intent. Hence the entire work is imaginative and also sarcastic. It is even out of tune with modern times. 

- Ends 

Battle for power in Lutyen’s city via gullies of Kolkata

Gorakhpur: Can Yogi retain his hold?

New Delhi, May 18 Political activism gaining momentum and as all eyes are on for crucial May 19 voting to nine parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal, the poll related violence is certainly back in national discourse.
Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar and Mathurapur are to go for the polls on Sunday amid an unprecedented row between the ruling party in the state and the ruling party in the country – the BJP.

Old timers quoting statistics and ‘historical facts’ say the political violence in West Bengal is only a throwback to a culture that was unleashed in the state for three decades under the Left.
Not many in the national political circle and key hubs of the season such as Varanasi – from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting – can deny this argument.
Obviously, according to political observers, the poll process will come under more detailed scrutiny as Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties have also directed their tirade against the Election Commission.
The tumultuous late 1960s and early 1970s saw the Marxists ‘resist’ CRPF hegemony unleashed by the Congress. In later stage, says Varanasi-based history teacher Lajpat Raj Gupt, the communists controlled things and did exactly the same what they had opposed.

 “Violence in Bengal elections became the order of the day as Left cadres indulged in 24X7 twelve month long electoral management. This came to known as scientific rigging,” he says.
He further says at least 86 political workers were killed in clashes in 1988-89 and even after 20 years in 2009 Lok Sabha elections at least 963 poll-related violence were reported. This made 18 percent of the total national figures.

Agreeing with him, others say there came a time when people asked ‘where is West Bengal heading after three decades of Marxists rule’ – things seemed to have hardly changed yet again.

“We have the same question. Where is West Bengal heading after eight years of Mamata Banerjee rule? If not worse,” says BJP leader in the state Amitav Banerjee.

In this context, many say Mamata Banerjee’s legacy of Chhatra Parishad (student politics) could be also a trigger.

Under President’s Rule in 1970-72, the SS Ray-led Congress government backed by Indira Gandhi regime in Delhi and aided by the Congress-led Chhatra Parishad Students’ Union, repressed the Leftists, arresting, beating and killing hundreds indiscriminately.
Residents in Bengal’s townships like Raniganj and Durgapur say the culture of political violence in West Bengal also related to ‘land mafia and promoters’ nexus with political activists and leaders.
“A class of people came to be called promoters (involved in real estate). Many of these promoters were either at mercy of local Left leaders or were party functionaries themselves. Cadres supplied building materials and earned huge profits.” says Raniganj-based lawyer Dulal Sen adding under Trinamool this class became more powerful and came to be called 'Syndicate'.

Another statistics reveal that during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, wherein Mamata Banerjee reinforced her dominance - out of a total of 16 political workers killed across India – seven (that is almost half) related to poll violence in West Bengal.

Besides the ‘attack’ on BJP chief Shah’s roadshow this week, there have been reports of violence in other parts of the city too.

BJP’s new found leader and a candidate in Delhi – a Sufi singer Hansraj Hans was also prevented from addressing meetings in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Sources said Hansraj Hans had to cancel his scheduled meetings in two places in Kolkata.
Another Varanasi-based Bengali resident Sushanto Chakraborty says:  “In more ways than one the continuing saga of violence in West Bengal reflect the continuance of the violence of 1970s in Bengal”.

Bengal: Writing on the wall and Legacy

Apparently this school of thought suggests nothing has changed in West Bengal.

Tripura BJP leader and a state legislator Bhagwan Das echoes similar sentiment. Camping in Bhawanipur area in Kolkata and campaigning for the BJP nominees, he says: “I am surprised at the scale of violence unleashed by Trinamool goons. The violence here looks more dangerous than the Leftists-inspired violence we saw in Tripura during 25 years of CPI-M rule”.

Tripura legislator

The contest between BJP and Trinamool appears to be ‘serious’ as all these nine seats were won by the Mamata Banerjee-led outfit in 2014.CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, however, does not want to concede that the BJP has enhanced its support base in the state – which till 2011 remained a red forte.“There is a tendency to believe that the fight is only between BJP and the Trinamool. It is not true, the Left candidates will snatch victory as footballer Messy can score goal,” Mr Yechury told a Bengali news channel.The importance of the electoral fray could be understand from the fact that on the last day of polling which ended on Thursday 2200 hours, Prime Minister held two poll meetings at Mathurapur and Dum Dum while Mamata Banerjee opted for road shows at Behala and Jadavpur areas of the city besides addressing a rally at Diamond Harbour.Yet, the Left may poll about 20 per cent of votes at the state level. But still there is no uncertainty as to whether these will help communists win any seat.In 2014 – the Left tally from Bengal was mere two.   

What ails Congress and the Left? – A diagnosis by Varanasi voters

Varanasi (UP),  May 17  The local residents of Varanasi – parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – are fond of calling themselves ‘Kashi Vasis’.
The simpleton and hospitable people on the face value have enough political acumen. It is in tribute to the political understanding of faceless voters - 'Kashi Vasis' here that the Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav says – “BJP is doing a mistake in underestimating the political maturity and wisdom of the Varanasi voters”.

Her husband Arun Yadav gives the example of India’s most maverick politician Raj Narain and says: “It was Raj Narainji also rooted in ground reality of Kashi that he stunned the nation and could defeat Indira Gandhi once”.Speak to local sweet shop owners, weavers and students – everyone seemed to understand politics so well. Most fascinating part of it is people’s knowledge on political history and sharp analysis of things – both past and present.Now, coming to the question what went wrong with the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh and especially eastern UP – which seemingly has ‘solid Congress support’ – the local residential experts say – it would be equally important to review why the Left politics after making significant influence on north Indian society and politics ultimately failed.
“A major weakness of the Left in north was its inability to break the caste idiom. The local caste equations were left to so called socialists and individualistic approach ultimately produced casteist and self-centric leaders,” says history teacher Lajpat Raj Gupt. 

He cited the domination of upper castes especially Brahmins in communist parties in West Bengal and how in Kerala – the CPI(IM) was state’s original ‘Hindu party’. 

He further says: “Over the decades prior to Independence and even after the Left parties, groups and individuals failed to work unitedly. The Left also failed to make a deep of reality, the communists constantly overestimated their support among the people”.

In the case of Congress party – says Gupt – “My belief has been that there is no Congress party as an organisation in India especially after 1970s”.

True, as the battle for the May 19 hustings – last phase of polling - gains momentum, people attribute gradual decline of country’s oldest party to over centralisation or concentration of power in few hands.
“Narendra Modi might be talking about one family. The real problem in Congress does not lay in one family. It is in the politics where for decades – the powers have remained in few select hands. They survive every generation and class of Congress power centre,” says trader Mathura Chaudhary.
This school of thought cites the illustrations of Pranab Mukherjee to AK Antony to Ghulam Nabi Azad who ‘survived’ in becoming key players under all prime ministers – P V Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh and even under Rajiv Gandhi.
The same group of people are close to Sonia Gandhi and also Rahul Gandhi...As the same group of people survived, the organisation of the party began to be dominated by the Parliamentary wing, they say.

Agrees Chintan Prasad, a retired land revenue official, who says – “As power got centralised for decades Prime Minister also automatically became the manager of all intra-party conflicts and trials and tribulations”.

Another educationist Pramod Pal – who hails from Varanasi and works in Gorakhpur – says “It may sound very unusual today. The Congress image was identified closely with large landlords, musclemen, rich, capitalists and politico-bureaucratic combine”.

In this context, he also explains the rise of BJP especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 

“By questioning the excessive power of government apparatus and willingness to fight for middle class after 1991 economic doldrums, the Lotus party drew the support of middle class”.

“This was huge,” says Mr Pal adding – “BJP finally emerged a party which worked out an alliance of middle class, pro-Hindutva religious group and in later stage the smaller caste groups left out of Dalit and Yadav hegemony”.
The Varanasi residents say while it is always important to woo voters who are ‘dissatisfied’ with the ruling dispensation – the Congress did a mistake in keeping most senior ministers as members of the Congress Working Committee too.

A similar formula was later repeated in the states as well wherein the party organisation was used by ‘rival factions’ only to gain control over the government.  
“In more ways than one, some of our predictions have come true about Congress. It got itself identified with the government machinery completely, and when the government is lost, the Congress came on the verge of disappearance despite an overwhelming support for the party still remaining on ground,” says Ajay Lal, another old timer in the city.
On the context of communism movement, Mr Lal says: “The Leftists also fought Congress often on wrong issues and when it came to the crunch, it was either forced to trail behind Congress leadership like under Indira Gandhi. The communists unlike the BJP or right wing politicians failed to show ideological and tactical flexibility.”

Summing up the game pretty well – in the words of  retired government official Chintan Prasad – the politics of eastern UP was left much with the influence of musclemen and later either casteists or Hindu fundamentalism.

Like elsewhere, everyone says – the BJP is banking heavily on Prime Minister’s charishma and on the other hand there is an attempt to united ‘the rest against him’. The voters in Gorakhpur or in Varanasi only lament that the political slugfest has touched new lows this year. 

Who will bell the cat? The fact that the Congress leadership is often seen going ‘ultra Left’ has also not gone down well with the voters and especially some of these low profile intellectuals of Varanasi.

BJP underestimates political wisdom of people of Varanasi, says SP candidate

Varanasi (UP),  May 15 Stating that the voters in Varanasi have always sprang major surprise and took leaders to sky high and again brought them down too, the Samajwadi Party candidate for the prestigious seat Shalini Yadav has exuded confidence that she could be the ‘blessed one’ in this year’s contest.
“We are not exaggerating things. But people of Varanasi have always stunned poll pundits.  Kashi barey yodhya tayar karte haen aur giratey bhi haen (Varanasi produces big leaders and then brings down towering personalities as well),” Ms Yadav told UNI here.
She further said: “In 2014, the voters showed confidence in Arvind Kejriwal who was an outsider and dumped Congress. So essentially the point it though Narendra Modi won with a huge mandate, he could face an indifferent electorate this time”. 

Ms Shalini Yadav also said that the BJP has sought to insult and underestimate the political wisdom of the Varanasi voters. “The BJP is already saying, Narendra Modi winning the seat is a mere formality. This over confidence and complacency will go against them”.
The voters in Varanasi have “never stuck” to one candidate for long and that is why a sitting MP of 2004 Rajesh Kumar Mishra (Congress, who polled over 2.06 lakh votes) was humbled and his votes reduced to mere about 66,000 in 2009.
“People here showed immense faith in candidates such as Mukhtar Ansari in 2009 and even a stalwart Murli Manohor Joshi could narrowly win by a margin of about 18,000 votes,” she said.
The Samajwadi Party candidate also said that things are “changing fast” on ground and there is now a fast ‘polarisation’ between anti-Modi and pro-Modi voters.

Shalini Yadav

“Here comes the relevance of Mahagatbandhan (the alliance of SP-BSP-RLD) and that is why the voters are gradually drifting loyalties towards the alliance. I should not be exaggerating, but a big surprise on cards for Modi ji and his party,” Ms Yadav said.
Answering questions, Ms Yadav, a former Congress leader who only joined Samajwadi Party recently – said, “People of Varanasi do not have much faith in Congress. Young people may not remember even when was the last time Congress won this seat”.

Notably, Shalini Yadav is daughter in law of a Congress leader Shyamlal Yadav – who was elected as a lawmaker from the constituency in 1984.
Local people say Shalini Yadav is rooted in the city and thus possibly she can give a “fight” if the caste equations go in her favour.
Minority Muslims – who make a substantial population – in the temple city are on the face value still divided between making Congress and the Mahagatbandhan. But once things become clearer on who would be ‘bigger fighter’ against Prime Minister, the Muslims would back that candidate.

To a question on the growing perception that Yadavs in Varanasi have over the years generally voted for BJP, Ms Yadav said: “Such a notion is also erroneous. Moreover, going by the trends at the state level Gatbandhan would do well in the rest of Uttar Pradesh and thus, Yadavs in the city will also back Samajwadi candidate”.

Ms Yadav – as a Congress nominee for the Mayoral polls in 2017 – polled 1.14 lakh votes and finished second to the BJP nominee who polled about two lah votes. “I am a fighter,” she says adding “that is why the confidence that the people of Varanasi will support my candidature”.

Answering another question, she asserted: “My contest is against Prime Minister and the BJP because nothing of the big promises made by the BJP have been implemented in the city”.
“We have water problem. Pollution is another issue of great concern but last five years, we only saw some bridges coming up here and there and Varanasi has become a city of holes,” she said.

ends