UP elections: Modi breaking stereotypes of politics

This analysis of UP elections was used by TOI Online

You can read a version of the article bellow: 

What appears beyond our imagination is seen as miraculous and what happened in Uttar Pradesh elections was no less than a miracle.

On one hand, the social media is replete with jokes – a cycle with a flat tyre, a hand bringing a cycle to halt, Rahul Gandhi saying his work is now done and he can go on vacations – and on the other hand many self-proclaimed social scientists and analysts are still calculating that what exactly happened in UP. How did BJP get more 320 seats and more than 40% votes? Which community voted for Bjp and what with what belief?

On a lighter note, I can say these people are writing the wrong exam. This election was not about the maths of getting a majority but about the right chemistry. In maths, typically, two plus two is four, whereas in politics, two plus two can sometimes mean five, and sometimes even three. In chemistry, a small drop of a chemical can change whole reaction. This assembly election in UP brought all calculations to a naught. And the man who transformed this political maths into chemistry is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Since the beginning, Modi was confident of a resounding victory. This confidence resonated in his campaign speeches. He reasserted, time and again, that the modern-day UP has gone beyond mere assertion of identity. Though a large chunk of the new generation in UP is still fighting for identity it also wants development. Today’s UP does not want BSP but B-S-P (Bijli-Sadak-Pani).

Modi understood this nerve of India. He has been trying to ensure participation and involvement of every section of the society in public life and uplifting their living standards. He also understands the needs of different sections of the society and their perception of development.

To begin with, unrepresented sections of society were given a place in BJP organisation. Several schemes were designed keeping in mind specific requirements of different  marginalized social groups. At the time of ticket distribution, attempt was made to give representation to every section of the society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to understand the issues of every social group that had been kept out of the growth net so far. Once voting data surfaces it will reveal how these sections of society joined the BJP in these elections. Though, there would be hardly any sections of the society who would not have voted for BJP in this election.

In the last 25 years, urban space has increased drastically in UP. There are over 125 assembly seats which could be considered as urban seats. Most of the youth here – irrespective of their caste – have unique needs like education, employment, scholarship and Wi-Fi. This youth electorate is connected to the pool of information through internet and has taken a liking to the hardworking and untiring Modi who is constantly working for them.

More than two decades have passed since Mayawati and Mulayam Singh first became the chief minister. There is a whole new generation now that includes educated youth from Dalit and backward communities. Their requirements are not the same as in the 1990s. A large segment of these youth also voted for Modi in this election.

Our politicians never made any serious attempts to understand the issues pertaining to women. However, PM Modi repeatedly talked about girl child and women empowerment in his rallies. You can hear the ripples of Ujjawala scheme in villages across the country where more than 15 million LPG cylinders have been distributed in less than 12 months. One can say that some of this would have also reached villages in UP with the message that the PM is looking after people’s needs.

The backward communities in the state, that were not as powerful as the Yadavs, also found a voice and hope in Modi. BJP fielded representatives from these communities on more than 140 seats in the assembly elections. Modi also ensured more than 50 seats for non-Jatav communities which had been living under the shadow of Jatavs for many years. If Modi brought the ideas of Deendayal Upadhyay’s Antyoday into action on ground, he also used Ram Manohar Lohia’s social engineering which ensures people’s participation.

In all, the Prime Minister is breaking stereotypes that have been a part of the political narrative for the last 70 years and put spanner in India’s development. He understands the social fabric of the country and has the uncanny ability to grasp its spirit, sense and scene. After all, a government doesn’t just decide offhand to increase the price of LPG in the sixth phase of voting.

In the end, in a state where BJP is known for Lord Rama and Ayodhya, PM Modi spent three days in Kashi, the city of Baba Vishwanath. Now analyse that!