Why BJP may struggle to find a slogan to enter 2019 electoral battle

Four years is a long time in politics, but not long enough for people to forget the election promises made by any party, especially the one that goes on to win the polls on the back of those promises.

The truth applies to the Narendra Modi government as much as it does to any other political party.

In the run up to the 2014 elections, Narendra Modi and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders made numerous promises that mesmerised the people of India.

The dreams that Modi and his party sold to the people of the country included development, return of black money reportedly stashed abroad, Rs 15 lakh in every account, achhe din, and an end to corruption.

Having won the election, no less than BJP president Amit Shah himself said that the promise of Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every citizen of the country was merely an election jumla.

It, however, seems that all promises made by the BJP were just jumlas. Here's a look at how BJP ditched the country on all its promises:

Rs 15 lakh to reach each account

In the beginning of 2015, during a television interview Shah said the promise of giving Rs 15 lakh to each Indian by ensuring all the black money hoarded by corrupt people in various accounts is returned was just an election "jumla".

During the campaign for 2014 general elections, Modi had said that if black money is brought back then his government will deposit Rs 15 lakh in each account. But barely a year after coming to power, the BJP laid bare that it was never serious about the promise.

Development

Modi swung to power on the promise of development all Indians. In almost every election rally, Modi raked up the issue of development giving hope to people that things were about to change.

He appealed to people to vote for the BJP if they wanted development. In his typical style, Modi asked the crowds gathered at his rallies: "Do you want development or not."

Four years of Modi's governance have however left people wondering where exactly the promised development has gone missing.

Achhe din aane wale hain

In Modi people saw hope of a better tomorrow. By constantly talking about development and replicating the Gujarat model of development, Modi convinced people that "good days" would come if the BJP was voted to power.

Children as well as elderly started humming "Modi ji aane wale hain, achhe din laane wale hain".

Unfortunately, people now feel betrayed on this count too.

End to corruption

The BJP promised that all corrupt people would be put behind bars if the party came to power. The party promised that money illegally deposited in foreign accounts (read black money) would be brought back to India.

A promise people lapped up. However, Amit Shah has now admitted that five years is not enough time to deal with the problem of black money.

The wait for new jumla

With the stage for 2019 national elections being set, the process of coining new slogans and jumlas is also underway.

The BJP has junked the use of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" to "saaf niyat, sahi vikas".

Reports suggest brainstorming sessions are on to discuss the slogans for the next election.

It will be interesting to see how the party justifies not fulfilling promises made through old slogans by releasing new slogans.

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