A BITTER SUCCESS AND A SWEETENED MISS: BEAUTIFUL VERDICT OF THE 2024 ELECTIONS

A success that tasted bitter and a loss that couldn’t be sweeter. This is the beautiful verdict that the people of India have handed to the parties in the 2024 elections. A big salute to the wisdom and maturity of the Indian electorate. They have once again proclaimed they can never be taken for granted.

The voters have been quietly observing the arrogance of the flamboyant rulers, draped in silk kurta-pyjamas that defied physics and good taste, and believed themselves to be chosen from above, and not elected. They have also seen how these creatures strutted through constituencies like peahens on a runway, trailing
sycophants and preceded by an aura of entitlement thicker than Kerala’s monsoon air.

These egomaniacs, convinced of their own invincibility, indulged in a lifestyle that would make a Maharaja blush. Public funds were their personal piggy bank, used to finance fleets of SUVs with flashing red and blue lights and mansions that resembled wedding cakes. They saw public service as a chance for self-service, sometimes cramming their own pockets or splurging in largesse that they gleaned from public wealth. They
promised the moon and delivered potholes, their speeches filled with more bluster than a monsoon windstorm. They treated dissent with the grace of a bull in a china shop, public outrage met with pronouncements about ‘khan market gangs’ and ‘anti-nationals’.

But the electorate has a way of humbling even the most arrogant! Democracy, that messy, unpredictable business, has a funny way of turning the tables. Voters, those pesky little things with minds of their own, eventually tire of the gilded cage these politicians build around themselves. The flashing lights lose their lustre, the empty promises curdle like split milk, and the overinflated egos become nothing more than comical hot air balloons, ready to be pricked by the sharp needle of reality.

Prick is what they did with Narendra Modi’s arrogance and body language, which had a complete disconnect with the humble origins that he often touted to win public sympathy. His election campaigns, particularly in
the latter rounds of the polling, spewed hatred and the voters caught up with him. While in 2019 he had won the hearts and minds of Muslim women by outlawing triple talaq, this time around he disparaged their motherhood and paid the price. It is no coincidence that in his Varanasi constituency, his majority was cut to size to less than a couple of lakhs, compared to what was garnered by Rahul Gandhi, for whom he missed no opportunity to despise, in both family turf Rae Bareli and newly-found love of Wayanad. Ditto the case with Smriti Irani, who had become the poster girl of intolerance in the Modi government. Kishori Lal Sharma,
who was described by BJP men as the ‘peon of Gandhi family’ turnout to be her giant killer.

The voters have given NDA a truncated mandate to continue the good things Modi has done in his ten-year tenure, but have put him on probation to atone for his mistakes. The message in the BJP candidate’s loss in the Faizabad, the constituency that includes the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the construction of which Modi had
tried to turn into a BJP affair, is quite loud and clear. Apparently, the message was not lost on Modi even before voting took place, which probably explains why he was turning to more divisive and hateful themes in his campaigning towards the final phases of voting.

Whenever the need arises, the Indian electorate has shown a high degree of political maturity. Indira Gandhi had known what it meant when she faced the electorate post- Emergency in her family fortress of Rae Bareli. Now, it is Modi’t turn to have a taste.

From the days of patronage politics to a more discerning electorate, the evolution of the Indian electorate
signifies a journey that reflects a maturing democracy where citizens are increasingly informed, engaged,
and empowered. Historically, Indian politics was often characterized by identity-based voting, where caste, religion, and regional affiliations played pivotal roles in determining electoral outcomes. However, in recent
times, there has been a noticeable shift towards issue-based voting, reflecting a growing awareness among voters about the importance of policy, governance, and accountability.

One of the key factors contributing to this change is the increasing accessibility of information and
communication technology. With the advent of smartphones and widespread internet penetration, Indian voters now have unprecedented access to news, social media, and online forums where they can discuss and debate political issues. This has empowered voters to make more informed choices, beyond traditional loyalties.

Another significant aspect of the evolving political maturity among Indian voters is the rise of youth participation in the electoral process. With India having one of the youngest populations globally, the youth vote has emerged as a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes. Young voters, often disillusioned with traditional politics, are demanding greater transparency, inclusivity, and representation from political parties. Their active engagement through social media campaigns, youth-led movements, and grassroots activism is reshaping the political landscape and challenging established norms.

Furthermore, the increasing urbanization and socioeconomic development have led to higher aspirations among voters. As more Indians experience upward mobility and access to education, they are demanding better governance and developmentoriented policies from their elected representatives. This has put
pressure on political parties to focus on issues of economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development to remain relevant in the eyes of the electorate.