Winds of Change

“A tectonic shift in the political establishment”- aptly summarized by a BJP Spokesperson defines the sentiment across the country today. Yes, after 30 years, a single party has won a majority and come to power on its own. Indeed, “Ab Ki Baar, Modi Sarkar” has become the utterance of the vast Indian heartland; or to rephrase a famous saying, “Let a thousand *Lotuses* bloom, that shall resonate all over the nation.

A sea of saffron seems to have descended across major swathes of the country while the incumbent government seems to have floundered miserably all along the way. The *lotus* has bloomed, blossomed and how! while the *Hand* has been reduced to a “facepalm” or a “forehead-palm” metaphor. The Congress has been routed in the most unforgiving way till date which leaves them rudderless and leaderless (literally!).

What strikes everyone the most about these elections is the way it has been fought and fraught with the drama of a Bollywood pot-boiler. It became very clear that it wasn’t going to be just another round of elections; with the novelty of having 3 parties in the fray (Congress, BJP and AAP), people were spoilt for choice of whom “not to vote for” rather than “whom to vote for”. The major discussions soon started veering around leaders *RaGA, NaMo*- *Pappu, Feku* (popular pseudonyms and acronyms for the gentlemen) and so on so forth. Riding high on the success gained in the Delhi elections last November, the Aam Aadmi Party got vociferous and aggressively vocal, only to rebutted by the very force that brought them to power- the media. Soon, it became clear that the fight to the finish would be between the 2 biggies- the incumbent government and the major opposition party- the BJP, (with some silently hoping that the AAP play spoiler).

The people of India were frustrated- rising costs, worsening unemployment figures, scams riddling the economy- basically a flux in the nuts and bolts of the functioning of our country. The common man needed assurance, of a new kind, a hope that gave him confidence, made him put trust and faith (and Votes, of course!) to a party that *promised* them the above. The BJP made use of the discontent to sow the seeds of hope, optimism of a better and foreseeable future for the country. Slowly, the *hand* that rocked the cradle (India), didn’t in this case, end up ruling the country, this time around.

The bastions may still remain but the very foundations of the Congress have crumbled today. (Care to file an RTI query on the cause of the drubbing, Rahul?) Meanwhile, the BJP’s ramparts have been fortified with today’s massive win, paving the way for “Change”, a word they have been stressing on since the start of their campaign.

Well done BJP, but one must exercise caution- the people expect *instant gratification* in terms of improved infrastructure, job creation and job security, reduction of prices of daily necessities, safety and security of women, etc. They have voted you in power for the simple reason that they wish to see their lives being righted and set on course; and India reaching the growth rates of 9-10%. These expectations may sound basic and mundane but they shall take a while before seeing the light of the day (I hope they do!). Till then, people will be watching you like a hawk in the immediate months to follow. Let not overconfidence result in laxity and a total flip flop in priorities.

But for now, Mr. Modi and his party men can soak in the lyrics from a prominent song. It goes as follows:-

“Raas racheelo saaj sajeelo

Shubh ghadi chhe aavee

Aaja aaja tamtamata shamna ojhe laavee...

Hey Shubhaarambh

Ho shubhaarambh

Mangal bela aayi...”

Aakhir, *Party toh Banti hai!!!*