Indian Elections 2019: Modi, Rahul and the Stockholm Syndrome

You may also like: Disturbing stats on black-white inequality Now girls are a THIRD more likely to go to university than boys Sound effect: Bhajans (Hindu faith songs) helping Autism Lessening productivity 50% of Americans have worked with a hangover Scientists say fist bump is healthier than handshake ?Hug & kiss Meet Darknet, the hidden underbelly of the searchable Web

Click here for more unique views on South Asia (Modi, AAP, terrorism and Pakistan)

Indian national elections have always excited Indians. Because of the visits that Modi did to the different countries in the world and the changes that he brought about in India, this election is exciting to the international community too. With the opposition parties not quite forming a coalition but accusing one another instead, this election has no unified challenging candidate against PM Modi. However, it is these opposition voices that do not let the excitement diminish. With the congress being the only national party and the rest reaching their regional audiences alone, the focus is naturally on the Congress Party and its dynastic leader Mr Rahul Gandhi. Following 2014 victory, many Indian thinkers saw parallels in Indira Gandhi's return after her defeat in the loss and predicted a return of the Gandhis in the next election. This article, however, not only predicted that Modi/BJP will win this election of 2019, it prophesied that India will be a one party state like Russia and China. Post 2014, things have not much changed in the Congress camp itself apart from the emergence of the junior Gandhi. In fact, the opposition parties that looked quite together under the senior Gandhi then, now look ever so fragmented under the 'stewardship' of the present Gandhi. Without a doubt, both BJP and the Congress parties have been in government before and have corrupt and crime accused leaders in their ranks. But then, there are many differences that clearly show which camp is to be voted for. What are they? Rahul Gandhi: His personality: Even if one were to forget about his citizenship issue, which, if true, would disqualify him; and him as a dynastic 'product' may not quite glorify him as a democratic PM, his need for help to understand even simple questions in interviews does not quite make him qualified for a PM. Unless Sonia steps in, as she humiliatingly and unconstitutionally did for the less audible Manmohan Singh, he would be an embarrassment in front of foreign dignitaries. Even if that is forgiven and his unparliamentary way of hugging is not made a fuss about, his lying habit did invoke a Supreme Court's reprimand. Yes his Raphael deal lie did discomfort secrecy sworn Modi and 'will give you cash' lie did help recent state election victories, but 'you can fool some people..' of those lies did a boomerang on further cash promises. But then, whereas the 'liar' tag lessened his victory chances, other factors were dangerous Although, on bail for corruption that made his family stand in the court for the first time, did not make him a good PM candidate, and only a delay in Indian justice, partly responsible for its rape epidemic (Which needs to be sorted, if India is thinking of becoming a global leader) gave him a chance to fight, the actual verdict could disqualify him. Strangely, however, although he was fighting to be the PM of an intact India, the likes of his visit to the JNU where some raised slogans to divide India adds a 'divider' tag to his bag contents. Nehru Gandhi Family: Yes this eternally young and unmarried 48 years old invokes the works and sacrifices made by his family tree. They were indeed big names, but while all kept people poor and Muslims uneducated vote bank, four generations of that tree cheated people with the false promise - 'remove poverty'. He is lucky that there is a deafening silence on this in the media when Modi is freely accused of a false promise. In addition, while Nehru lessened India's defence and increased Kashmir problem, Indira Gandhi brought emergency and Rajiv Gandhi is infamous for the Shah Banu case and the Bofors. Even if the past is waived good bye, the Gandhi-Vadra family is on bail now. Yes the Gandhis did not rule as long as the British, but if Nehru's 'modern temples' are spoken of then one cannot miss the railways, democracy, law, monuments etc. that the British left. Yes the Brits were responsible for millions killed in the Indian famines and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre even changed Gandhi's mind, beyond Bofors Rajiv Gandhi did the unthinkable with a 'when tree falls...' that aided Sikh genocide in Delhi. While the latter has put a big stain on the family and the Congress party, Netaji's and Sashtri's deaths are under scrutiny. Even if those family misadventures are disregarded, the Congress party didn't seem to help. The Congress Party: Yes, being the oldest party of the country one would expect the Congress Party's (CP) name would come to rescue Rahul. Yes the CP came up with a lot of programmes in the corridors of the ministries but those did not materialize enough to be useful to the people. But then, corruption scandals did materialise that made the leaders very rich indeed. The fatwa giving Muslim leaders, who used Muslim voters to make Congress the victor perennially received a slice or two. Reflecting those, today's TV stations are full of reports on Congress leaders being charged. These exposures hurt the CP. Even if not charged the meddling in the removal of the Chief Justice has not fared well. Furthermore, its leaders being friendly with Pakistan and one even asking its enemy state to oust Modi hasn't quite brought in goodies on this side of the border. And when Indian Army is asked to explain the attack on Balakot Pakistan, it almost placed Congress at the edge of being antinational. NEXT

1 2 3

Modi and Rahul

Voters