David Powell
Updated on: October 8, 2024 1:26 pm GMT
Prashant Kishor, a prominent election strategist and co-ordinator of the Jan Suraaj Party, recently shared insights about the political landscape in India post-Lok Sabha elections, particularly focusing on the performance of the BJP and the opposition, including Rahul Gandhi’s role in the revival of the Congress party.
During his appearance on the popular TV show “Aap Ki Adalat,” Kishor emphasized the successful efforts of the opposition in countering the BJP’s narrative, specifically mentioning how the opposition managed to project the BJP’s ambitions of achieving a significant parliamentary majority as a means to amend the Constitution and potentially end caste reservations. He noted that this narrative was effectively communicated by the opposition, casting doubt on the BJP’s intentions among voters.
Kishor remarked on the surprising language used by Prime Minister Modi during the elections, suggesting that terms that deviated from the Prime Minister’s established imagery may have alienated core BJP supporters, causing disappointment and even panic in some areas. He drew parallels between current dynamics and past elections, citing the 2009 Lok Sabha elections when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat and L K Advani was the national leader. Kishor speculated that a similar sentiment about leadership stability may have affected voter behavior in Uttar Pradesh.
When asked about the impact of the arrests of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren on the elections, Kishor dismissed the idea that these events significantly swayed public sentiment against the BJP. He pointed out that the BJP endured losses in states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, indicating that voter dissatisfaction transcended isolated incidents.
Discussing the situation in Bihar, Kishor underscored the enduring influence of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating that historical memories of RJD’s governance continue to color voter perceptions. He attributed some of Nitish Kumar’s success in the elections to this longstanding narrative.
Kishor articulated that the forthcoming results from nine key state assembly elections would be critical in determining the stability of the Modi government, asserting that substantial losses in these states could raise questions about the government’s future.
On Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Kishor acknowledged the progress made by Gandhi in establishing himself within the Congress party, although he noted that Gandhi has further to go in positioning himself as a national leader. He praised the Congress’s performance in the recent elections, indicating that while the party showed improvement, the challenges of becoming a strong alternative to Modi remain significant.
Kishor is getting ready to start his Jan Suraaj Party in Bihar. He believes that people will keep supporting parties that offer different ideas, especially in a country where many are struggling financially. He thinks it’s really important for his party to focus on education and development as they move ahead.
