Modi’s admission might not have come to the public domain, if the BJP had not lashed out at a Hindi TV channel for referring to his election promises as jumla (fake promises). The party posted a clip of a news broadcast on Aaj Tak along with another clip of Modi’s election speech in Amroha last week. The anchor was seen asking, “Were Modi’s election promises in 2014 fake? Were they jumlas? According to the video, posted by the BJP, Modi was heard saying, “I’ve never claimed that all promises that I made have been fulfilled. But, one thing is clear that I have worked tirelessly to make your life easier. To take these works forward, I once again need your blessings in 2019 elections.”

This nature of acceptance goes against the spirit of claims of Modi, his ministerial colleagues and also the party leaders. They have made the habit of asserting at the top of their voice that has kept his promises and has done more than any other prime has done during the last seventy years. This also includes the rule BJP stalwart Atal ji. Nevertheless it is a widely known fact that Modi has not kept his promises and faltered on most of his electoral assurances. To count one is the most important promise of depositing 15 lakh in each individual’s account.

It is worth mentioning that Modi and his party BJP has revisited the 2014 promises made to the voters. In a way the manifesto is the collection of the old promises. It reiterates doubling farmers’ income by 2022, housing for all and bridging the doctor-patient ratio. The only change the party has made is described the manifesto as “Sankalp Patra”. The visible new addition has been the Rashtrawaad.

One thing people must admit is his skill to play jugglery with the words. He has absolutely no match. It is this skill of Modi that has put the opposition parties, especially the Congress on defensive. Nevertheless, what a paradox, Modi, who since the day entered into the chamber of prime minister has been harping on doggedly pursuing with the mission to create a Congress less India, but today he has been fighting against it and urging the vote against the party. Apparently he has lost his mission and is now dependent on people to accomplish the task.

The new promises he has made this time are to reach the piped water to every household by 2024, to select 22 champion sectors and make a policy to create employment, would ensure that 60,000 kilometres of national highway is constructed by 2024 and finally the target of a ‘Swachch Ganga’ would be achieved by 2022.

The entire exercise of Modi has been to appease the urban middle class. To win over them he has been using Jumla. His comrade in arms Amit Shah has even confessed it. Modi’s all claims virtually do not any rationale. One feels pity at the urban middle class voters. None would have imagined that this class would be swayed by jumlas and in the process their own class interest. They claim to be literate, but they behave like an illiterate; they don’t believe in arguments.

Indians are emotional fools; this has been an old adage. But the recent moves of Modi to win over their support, explicitly endorses it. The war euphoria created by Modi has made the urban middle class youth to forget about his future. The government has failed create jobs. But the youths are reluctant to raise their voice for jobs. We have heard that religion is opium. Now we have been witnessing the scene where it is being used to intoxicate the youths.

The scenario in 2014 was different. Congress was caught pants down; its leaders involved in corruption and not paying any attention to the peoples’ cause. It was hard to find fault with the people against the Congress. But the present situation is not better than the situation that existed in 2014. What troubled India in 2014 continues to ail even in 2019.

Ever since elections were announced Modi has been singing the tune of security and nationalism. His rhetoric takes us back to the days when Debkant Barua had equated Indira Gandhi with India. Same mechanism is being used now. Modi has been equating himself with army; as if Modi is army and army is Modi. He deflects any attack on him to army. His aids and sycophants have been openly indulging in this nefarious game. Even the Election Commission is to ignore this highly sensitive issue.

The Election Commission found comments made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar objectionable and in violation of Model Code of Conduct, but refused to take any action against them. Obviously the question arises why it left them untouched with a small request not to repeat this in future. What has been most shameful is the passive attitude of the Indian Fourth State towards this. Surprisingly the EC under its Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has often faced flak for being biases in favour of the BJP,

UP CM Yogi Adityanath had said, “Congress people used to serve terrorists biryani, but Modiji’s Sena (Modi’s Army) gives them only bullets and bombs.” Reacting to Gandhi’s NYAY, Kumar had tweeted, “The proposed income guarantee scheme fails the economics test, fiscal discipline test and execution test.” He had even mocked Gandhi saying; “true to its past record of promising the moon to win elections, Congress President announces a scheme that will bust fiscal discipline, create strong incentives against work and which will never be implemented.”

Notwithstanding his diatribes, vile propaganda against Congress and his resorting to blatant lies, Modi does not appear to be sure of the victory of his party and NDA. His latest move to entice the first time voters clearly reflects his fright and desperation. A couple of days back addressing the first-time voters he tried to titilate the nationalistic fervor of these youths by telling; “ Can you dedicate your vote to Balakot airstrike team, Pulwama jawans?”

Modi must stop political exploitation of the democratic institutions. He should remember later or sooner he will have to bow out of office of prime minister. But the damage he was inflicting on the body politik of India will ultimately ruin the country. Even if India is transformed into a Hindu Rashtra it would be a tough proposition for the Hindutva elements to repair the damage. (IPA Service)