Narendra Modi led the BJP to a resounding victory in the 2014 elections. With a simple majority (282 seats) over the required 272, Narendra Modi’s government is in a strong position to ensure stable governance and has a mandate for coherent policy. The robust National Democratic Alliance (which includes parties such as the Telugu Desam Party) totaled well over 300 seats, giving India the strongest government in 30 years.
A despondent Congress party gave a rather graceless concession speech. The heir apparent, however, appeared rather unaware of the gravity of the defeat inflicted on the INC. In any event, what was patently apparent was that the Congress’s patent on “secularism” had expired–indeed, it had been shown to be false advertising as the country pulled the rug out from underneath them with a mere 44 seats.
More immediately, the soon to be bifurcated state of Andhra Pradesh saw its two true regional parties convincingly stake claim to power, demolishing the contemptuous Congress that cynically toyed with the emotions of both regions.
For Chandra Babu Naidu in particular, the win was vindication after 10 years in the political wilderness–full of criticism and second guessing. The shrewd Naidu managed to defeat a Jagan-led YSR Congress that was long associated with corruption, cronyism, and cultural crusades against the majority of the state.
For KCR, it was a vote acknowledgement from the people of Telangana who credit him above the cunning Congress for the creation of the new state. With rumors of the MIM’s involvement in the state government, it remains to be seen what KCR will do with that mandate. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti will also face continuing questions about the status of residents originating from Seemandhra, and whether the law and order situation will be reflecting a positive atmosphere (particularly given the events in Kishanbagh).
Nevertheless, the people of not only Telangana and Seemandhra, but all of India are rejoicing at the humbling of a party and dynasty increasingly seen as arrogant and anti-majority. Telugus of both states gave an unmistakable comeuppance for the ingratitude and betrayal of the very Congress they had, more than any other, helped bring to a ten year reign of misrule. Hoisted by their own petard, the Congress had no one to blame but themselves.
This election can be summed up as the result of a dynasty, party, and ideological section that had not only become considered anti-Hindu, but outright colonial in disposition. This victory was redemption for the long suffering believers of India’s Dharmic heritage and Civilization. Judging by those faux liberal citizens who are already high tailing it out of India, this election has shown who the true sons of the soil are–or as we can again proudly say in the true national language of India (hint: not English) : dharthi ke lal.
