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Anti Modi and the politics of counterbalance of narrative

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bombayblood
bombayblood
Author sells dreams for work and thoughts on Indian Politics, Policy, Sports out of interest

2012

UPA was floundering in handling the situation across India in wake of corruption scandals, IAC movement, Nirbhaya case etc. The premier opposition space was not occupied by BJP but a handful of individual personalities like Anna, Baba Ramdev, Kejriwal, etc.

Modi was serving as CM of Gujarat enjoying growing chorus of his elevation as PM candidate. 

2013

Modi conquered most of his opposition to become PM candidate. BJP was still a divided house with old guard holding their fort and it was following the narrative set by either media or anti-corruption activists

IAC turned into AAP in Delhi, fought elections resulting in 49 day government with support from Congress

Since 2014

The modus operandi of Modi-Shah axis has always been to run government in a no-opposition mode and deliver to set expectations. This model worked well in Gujarat. In other words, they owned the opposition in Gujarat. World outside Gujarat was completely different. Congress was still strong and was holding its vote share from loyal supporters, internal competition from other BJP state CMs like Shivraj, Raman Singh and Vasundhara Raje with good governance track record and the regional satraps in most of the major states like UP, Tamilnadu, West Bengal. Add to this, the hostile national media.

Admin and running the government smoothly came naturally to Modi-Shah, however the most intriguing piece in puzzle  was how to tame the anti-government elements and win the war of perception and narrative. Author believes it was achieved by creating a counterbalance an Anti Modi amongst the opposition to own the opposition’s narrative as well as the polity.

If one cares to look back at narrative from Modi government and the counter narratives, it gives a good idea as to how the war of perception is being fought. PM Modi is talking about his war on black money via Demonetization and Jan-Dhan Yojana, Swatch Bharat, Digital India, Surgical strikes etc. All these are macro items with guaranteed positive perception. If we look at the opposition, its Suit-buit ki sarkaar, 15 lakh suit, Coward and Psychopath name calling, questions on marital status, côup on state government via army or LG.. the list goes on. The Anti-Modi narrative is all negative to his macro items and most of the times downright pedestrian in discourse. In lesser words, opposition is a shrinking minority.

To Modi-Shah’s credit, they have held tight control on the new BJP by steering clear of Saffron discourse and pivoting on development and downtrodden uplift. This has boxed the entire opposition in tight corner where they have to give up on their traditional anti-BJP ideology driven politics and gravitate towards this Anti-Modi in public; in process handing over the keys to the house.

A new norm in opposition to government has been established and it is very low in ceiling.

If you are with me till this point, then I am sure you have also figured out the Anti-Modi and the biggest loser from opposition.

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bombayblood
bombayblood
Author sells dreams for work and thoughts on Indian Politics, Policy, Sports out of interest
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