1.       Common men slog all their lives to raise their ambitious children, to build a house of their own, and to accumulate some wealth to leave behind for their family. Many a times, they fail and die without leaving anything behind except some loans and hospitals bills to be paid off. Building a career from a poor background always seems like a Sisyphean task for common man in India. Narendra Modi has broken this myth. People know that he rose to the heights of Indian politics from a lower middle class family so they believe; Modi would understand their plights and would do something good to change their fate.

2.        Modi is considered pro-business. NaMo as PM means that industries will grow. People in significant numbers believe in trickle-down theory. That means if the rich will become richer that means more job opportunities and the wealth will trickle down to the poor.

3.      Gujarat Model of governance was a well-scripted ad campaign or a success story; it is to political pundits to decide. Whatever, it gave hope to the people of the poor states that Gujarat model of governance can change their lives for good. It is remarkable that BJP performed well in poor states like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh but Odisha.

4.       The days of decisive politics are over. Modi did not raise any controversial issue during campaigning. His focus remained on development, economic revival, ending corruption, and job creation. Though, he let his lieutenant talk about Hindutava agenda of the BJP.

5.      \Modi has established himself as a tough commander. He may take right or wrong decisions but he ensures people that the government would be decisive under Modi as it was not seen in Manmohan Singh’s government.

These reasons are good enough to make people believe that good days are ahead. 

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By Abhishek Pandey

Price rise, series of scams, corruption in ministries and bureaucracy during UPA tenure, and lack of an appealing and visionary leader in the Congress party cost them this huge debacle in the general elections 2014. But no reason can take away the credit of Narendra Modi for this stupendous victory. He extensively campaign all over India and sold golden dreams to Indian electorates. And, it was well taken. Here are few other factors that helped BJP win—

 

1- Anti incumbency of 10 years worked against the UPA government. The government came to power promising a lot but could not deliver to the poor and the needy. Though, they were given chance twice by the Indian electorate. The UPA government formulated many welfare schemes and introduced right based acts but their benefits did not reach to the poor. The schemes were not implemented effectively or were allocated fewer funds than required.

2- Congress party has not developed state leaders over a period of time those could rise in need and woo voters. People were bored of Gandhi family and wanted a charismatic leader who could turn their dream of a better India into reality. Rahul Gandhi has always been reluctant to take any responsibility in the government and people lost faith in him. Very few top leaders in the congress party have direct people connect while BJP nurtured many such as Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan, Raman Singh, Manohar Parikkar, Vasundhara Raje and many others. While Congress lack big leaders in the state.

3- Polarization of votes in Uttar Pradesh helped the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Samajwadi Party could not manage communal riots in Western and Central UP. Hindu votes consolidated and helped BJP to do it’s all time best in the most important political state of UP where the BJP won 71 seats that is bigger that the congress’s all India tally. The polarization of votes in the state also disturbed the caste politics in UP resulting in the party like BSP losing all seats. The party still claims that the election was fought on development plank. On the contrary, the party did not initiate any action against the leaders who spewed venom during campaigning. And, fielding Modi from Varanasi was a tactical move by the party for connecting with people in UP and adjoining Bihar. In both the states, the party performed really well and won 93 seats. 

4- BJP had a great charismatic leader in Narendra Modi. He had a good track record of running a state government for last 12 years. The flamboyant Modi boasted of his achievements better that any one did. People believed that Gujarat model of development can change the face of the nation if replicated. 

5- Use of technology in this election played a significant role. Narendra Modi who is 64 communicated with the young generation using social media on a regular basis. Neither Rahul nor Sonia use social media platform.

6- Series of corruption cases in the UPA I and II antagonize Indian voters. The anti-corruption movement and reluctance of the government to introduce an effective Lokpal Bill was accepted as the government lack political will to fight corruption.  

7- It was an open secret that the PM office has a little role to play in running the government and people disapproved the Congress for bringing down the authority of the PM to such a low level. PM always looked toward 10 Jan Path for decisions. And, the PM Man Mohan Singh hardly communicated with the media.  

8- Crumbling economy and shrinking job opportunities impelled people to find an alternative and decisive government that can bring jobs and weave a better future for a young India.

9- The disappearance of Rahul Gandhi during crucial times was not accepted by the country. Whether there was an upsurge against Delhi gang rape or calamity in Uttarakhand, Rahul was not available. 

10- The last but not the lease. Congress helped BJP in making the Brand Modi. The Congress party indulged in fear mongering, communalism, the age-old talks of ‘secularism’ and pushed back the agenda of development. That was not well taken.

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