As the Lok Sabha elections enter their final phase, the political landscape in India is buzzing with fervor. In about ten days, the seven-phase voting will conclude, and the country will elect a new government to form the 18th Lok Sabha. Political campaigning has taken center stage, with the contest beginning in mid-March. Initially, the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared to have a commanding lead, but as the election progressed, the perceived ‘wave’ began to wane.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP launched its campaign well before the election schedule was announced. Initially, the narrative focused on the development of the last decade, branding it as merely a “trailer.” However, the emphasis shifted to criticizing the alleged failures of previous administrations, particularly in implementing welfare schemes for the economically disadvantaged.
BJP leaders emphasized the need for a strong and decisive government. The campaign pivoted to ‘Modi Ki Guarantee,’ and the ambitious target of securing 400-plus seats for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was downplayed in favor of sharp attacks on the Congress, particularly targeting Rahul Gandhi and his family.
Meanwhile, the opposition, particularly the Congress, could not be ignored. Learning from regional successes in Karnataka and Telangana, the Congress focused on protecting the Constitution. It accused the NDA of seeking a supermajority to alter the Constitution.
The BJP, in response, accused the Congress of historical constitutional changes and claimed the Congress might scrap reservations to benefit Muslims. The opposition used bread-and-butter issues like price rises and unemployment as primary weapons, along with promises to revoke the controversial Agniveer scheme.
Amidst these heated exchanges, critical global issues such as climate change, the green economy, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence remain conspicuously absent from all party manifestos. It is crucial for the electorate to demand answers and action plans for these pressing global challenges that will shape the country’s future.