Modi helped the lotus bloom in Karnataka — but will it change things?
The lotus has finally bloomed in south India. Large red snaking trails of crackers have been heralding a new era as I guess our incumbent Arvind Limbavali retains his seat. We were a BJP constituency. We retain that in Bangalore Urban Mahadevpura.
What changes now, possibly, is that the state government could perhaps be in alignment with the government at the Centre. Hopefully, that means no more flames on Bellandur Lake, an end to our traffic woes, piped Cauvery water for us, drainage and other urban amenities as well as job creation at all levels of the populace.
Anti-incumbency always worked for us people of Karnataka. Why should this time be any different?
On a phone call, I was asked to air my expectations of the government. My wish list is simple: may this government uphold the Constitution of India, which guarantees the liberty to worship in any faith. May religion, food habits and individual choices, of whom to marry, etc, not become state subjects or flashpoints any more. May the rhetoric of hate be toned down and issues like poverty alleviation, agriculture, livelihood, education and providing healthcare for all take centrestage. May our "rulers" take their duties seriously and not forsake governance — or bypass the judiciary.
I don’t know how many of my wishes will come true. But you can still dream in a democracy.
Meanwhile, one of the greatest factors underpinning this victory by the BJP is the tireless work at the grassroots, particularly in coastal Karnataka and the hinterland undertaken by the RSS. The Sangh once again demonstrated that it is the backbone of the BJP.
Another finding — rarely has the country so unanimously been in love with one man, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His image is of a squeaky-clean Hindu “hriday samrat”. Hindus looking for an incarnation of, say, Lord Rama who could return the country to its golden age apparently end their quest at his image. Is that reality? Is that carefully managed press? Is that propaganda?
These questions occur only to the urban elite. The masses are thoroughly enamoured and nothing can break this charm. Not demonetisation. Not Nirav Modi. Not the Manmohan Singh-like silences. Not the fact that there is not only an economic slowdown but also gross inflation.
Let us talk of history. This demise of the Congress began the day Siddaramaiah was elected CM in 2013. The story is not that a JD(S) leader came into the Congress and achieved such stature that he could become CM. The story is that his appointment displaced stalwarts and created a vacuum in the organisation. Demoralised party workers, with no clear game-plan except for a desire for seats, do not make an ideal winning formula.
Kannadigas have not seen the faces they know and trust in these elections: Veerappa Moily, Mallikarjun Kharge or SM Krishna (no longer even in the Congress). A few film stars in the mix could have swayed the outcome to some extent. But the perception on the street is that the Congress is an alien power that may do some appropriate work in New Delhi, but is not attuned to regional issues.
The most important verdict returning now again is that Rahul Gandhi represents the worst in dynastic politics — and people no longer vote for that. It is time for a more visible and active second rung of leaders. In what has proved to be the most strategic PR weapon of the BJP, Rahul Gandhi’s appellation of "Pappu", which translates loosely to “a young boy of dodgy intellect” has so typified him (wrongly, I do believe) that the Congress should look to more seasoned leadership. And soon.
And, even as we still figure out who will actually get power, one of the clear winners in this election is "NOTA" – "None of the Above". The numbers who found none of their candidates vote-worthy is mind-boggling. It seems like a decent option for the non-political. Yet, it bypasses the fundamental right and duty of a citizen of India to vote – and to make that vote count.
I think I have grown old now. Many political parties that swayed or won elections in my hometown of Jamshedpur no longer exist. Nothing surprises me anymore. Nothing makes me hopeful either. I have seen far too many election promises fall by the wayside. Remember Rs 15 lakhs? And the Reddy brothers who will prosper as they always have. Political daughters will continue to have extravagant weddings in full public gaze.
Scams will routinely come to light — and then fade as yet another blip in history. Parties will fight tooth and nail on television channels and go back to mirroring each other otherwise. The Left will remain an illusion.
What will be left, perhaps, are the wishes of regular voters like me.
Also read: Karnataka verdict: Why BJP should be the last party to cry foul over horse-trading