India and its democracy are truly unique. On 4th June, the day of the election results, an incumbent winner was out of words and a losing alliance was busy in celebration.
Yes, the mighty BJP has done it again. Third consecutive term. After 1962, after Nehru. But... is it mighty anymore?
Their arrogance of power has been cut to the size. The mandate is clear - "Run the government for five more years. But, be humble. And focus on development more"
These are not just election results. This is the voice of people. A verdict. That no matter how big you are, no one is infallible. That even power and money can be defeated.
These aren't just results. This is hope. This is a restoration of faith in India's democracy, India's institutions, and the credibility of our electoral process but most importantly, this is the restoration of belief in India's Common Man.
For long, it was believed that regardless of what the BJP does, they'll end up winning by hook or by crook. Not anymore.
You cannot test people's patience for infinity. We cannot have a mere mortal claiming to be an incarnation of God. And we cannot have a controlled, biased national media who instead of questioning such rhetoric, starts worshipping itself.
This is too much ego. And in the land of Ram, we have a long tradition of killing ego down whenever it goes out of hand.
There are two big symbolic highlights in this election.
First is Ayodhya, where the BJP lost despite the whole Ram Mandir spectacle. The age-old Mandir-Masjid politics has been made irrelevant in today's India.
The second highlight is Indore. There was no opposition candidate. He was bought even before the polls. And yet, people came out, in scorching heatwaves, to register the highest-ever NOTA votes. As if to say, you can do as you will, but this is our country and we will register our dissent.
This was an election where opposition was made irrelevant in the national media narrative. All debate was around how big the margin of win would be and if it could truly be "400 Paar." (Some exit polls kept the highest range as 401 as if to satiate the ego of one man)
What if such an exaggerated hype was not created? I wonder how many fence-sitters who would've voted against the BJP didn't do so because they bought the theory that the opposition has no chance.
However, there is a counter-argument as well. Many pundits believe that the BJP got too arrogant and aggressive with the whole "400 Paar" mantra. Opposition latched onto it quickly and developed a counter-narrative. It instilled the fear that if such an unrestricted power is given to the BJP, they will change the constitution.
Perhaps, it worked. Or maybe there was always an anti-incumbency that Godi Media deliberately didn't show us. Regardless, kudos to the opposition for sticking with the "real" issues throughout the campaign - unemployment, inflation, communal divide, etc.
The so-called "Chanakyas of Politics" suddenly found themselves on the back foot. And they retorted to the usual gimmick -- causing hatred against Muslims. Their internal think-tank needs to seriously introspect on this strategy. For one, this deflection tactic doesn't work anymore. Secondly, such irresponsible comments from the Prime Minister of a nation seriously damage our image on the global front.
There are a lot of what-ifs. What if Tejaswi had performed a bit better in Bihar? What if the INDIA alliance had been formed a bit earlier? A few seats here and there could have made all the difference.
We must appreciate the BJP as well. Regardless of its shortcomings in government, as an electoral candidate, it is still quite a force to reckon with. It was truly clever on their part to make inroads in states like Orissa and Andhra, for it somewhat made up the losses in Uttar Pradesh.
Still, this victory is bittersweet. The party, that was almost sure of its return to power not just this time but in 2029 as well, would be sweating after this result. The upcoming state elections would be no easy fight. And running a coalition government, when Modi himself has been so critical of it, would be a tough task.
The results have not only strengthened our democracy but also spiced up the political landscape once again.
Throughout the campaign, BJP and its media kept asking, without hesitation, "If not Modi, then who?" The common man has given a befitting reply - "If not Modi, then Us". The people of India have gifted an opposition to our country and our democracy. Yes, they have not given them the power, but not to the ruling party either.
The people of India have taken power back into their own hands.