Modi 2.0 rides on saffron surge to historic victory

Defying all projections of a hung parliament, the 2019 elections in India have turned out to be a massive saffron surge, with the BJP-led NDA expected to surpass its 2014 tally as it surpassed its previous performance to win 351 of 542 parliamentary seats. The BJP’s massive victory has given a new burnish to the Modi myth and magic as the 68-year-old leader relentlessly challenged the opposition’s onslaught and vilification campaign to emerge as the undisputed leader of the world’s most populous democracy.

Predictably, rejoicing and jubilation has swept Bharatiya Janata Party with scenes of tumultuous celebrations seen at the party headquarters and regional offices across the country.

Ahead of the counting day, most exit polls had predicted a comfortable win for the BJP-led NDA, but in the weeks preceding it many political observers were predicting a hung parliament, with the opposition engaged in unprecedented politicking to oust Mr Modi. However, as the emerging results proved, the Opposition’s anti-Modi campaign stands exposed, with many of stalwarts facing humiliating defeat and election reverses. TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu, who was jet-setting from his home turf in Hyderabad to Delhi and various state capitals, to cobble together an anti-Modi alliance has become one of the most prominent losers as his party is expected to get a few seats in Lok Sabha and is set to lose state elections.

“It’s a vote for Modi’s ongoing project of transforming India and making a new India by 2022. It’s also a vote for decisive and strong leadership and a rejection of the politics of caste arithmetic,” said Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network and India and the World magazine.

“By reverse, the 2019 mandate is a pointed rejection of the politics of dynasty, entitlement and cynical abuse of caste calculations. People have repudiated Rahul Gandhi’s negative campaign of Modi-baiting and vilification,” said Mr Chand, a political analyst.