The point to be noted is that in 2014 election campaigning too, it was repeated in a loop that there was no Modi wave — which was discovered only when the picture became clear in the afternoon of 16th May. This time voting percentage is 3% higher than the 2014 polls which points that this election is not a waveless one. Saying that Modi wave has vanished may be politically incorrect as Modi factor is the dominating one in this season. It may be weaker in comparison to 2014 — but it still exists. However, there is a twist too. There is an anti-Modi wave but it seems to be less strong due to opposition's failure to energise it politically across the nation.

Just look at the divided opposition who are busy in fighting against each other and hasn't yet provided any strong narrative to the voters of the country. The opposition itself has been campaigning this season by appealing the voters to defeat Modi. This is the political mistake the opposition has done. One hand, they say there is no Modi wave and on the other hand, the same opposition is asking the electorate to vote to remove Modi to save the country without providing a better alternative. It means that the opposition willy-nilly has made it clear to the voters that this election is about Modi. Isn't this a food with platter to Modi? Definitely it is.

If half of the task is being carried out by the opposition, the rest is done by Modi himself to make the Modi factor more powerful in this election. First of all, Modi factor is not a lone factor — it consists of development and emotional nationalism mixed with shades of Hindutva. Plus Modi knows the art of utilizing the opposition to make his arguments more strong among the electorates. And opposition without realizing are playing into Modi's hand. Just look at the recent controversy where Modi attacked former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi as the corrupt leader. As soon as he is done, Congress and its associates started to attack Modi for being low by attacking Rajiv Gandhi without even realising that the grand old party is falling into the trap of Modi. This is what Modi wanted to portray to the voters that the concerns of Congress are only for the Nehru-Gandhi family. Undoubtedly, he is successful too. In politics, perception matters. Whether Modi was right to attack Rajiv Gandhi is a different issue but it appears that he has reaped the political benefits that he wanted.

More importantly, most of the voters do agree to the point that Modi is a factor. Although, it may also work against him. But one thing to be noted is when the election is centralised on the incumbent with no proper opposition candidate, there are more chances that the incumbent will benefit. Of course, one would say that in the 1977 elections, where opposition with no declared face, was successful in defeating Indira Gandhi, one of India's strongest and popular prime ministers. But there is a difference. In 1977, although the opposition went to election without any face but one shouldn't forget the stature of popular socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan who not only united the opposition but also rallied against Indira Gandhi which drew huge crowds. Presently, neither there is any leader of stature like Jayaprakash Narayan nor is the opposition united like 1977. In such a scenario, the more likely case is that Modi tends to benefit on whom the entire election campaign is based. So, it may be politically flawed to conclude that there is no Modi wave plus an anti-Modi wave too. But Modi wave appears to be stronger because of Modi’s vigorous and catchy election campaign and opposition’s failure to counter him nationally. To win in politics, one needs to win the battle of perception and currently Modi is leading in the game of perception. So, is the Modi wave. (IPA Service)