No one can take the voter for granted

As the nation gears up to vote in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls due on April 19, what is becoming increasingly evident to most analysts is the indisputable fact that this is not going to be an easy election to win for any candidate -belonging to either the ruling BJP-led NDA or the Opposition Congressled INDIA, or any other party not part of either of these alliances.

Even the ‘400 sou paar’ dream of the BJP does not look like an easy objective to achieve with political analysts saying they do not sense any kind of wave which was so visible in earlier elections.

There are many who however assert that the BJP may cling on to power, albeit with a reduced majority considering the euphoric sentiments the Ram Mandir construction has elicited in the minds of voters across the north Indian states.

The possibility of the main opposition party, the Congress likely to return with a bigger chunk of seats than the 52 it could manage in the 2019 polls, also cannot be ruled out.

Most of these seats obviously are likely to come from the South where the Grand Old Party and its allies have been able to keep at bay the saffron camp despite an ambitious and determined effort by PM Modi to win over the South.

What is also increasingly becoming evident as people of 21 states and UTs prepare to cast their votes in 102 constituencies on April 19 is the undeniable fact that livelihood issues are dominating the poll debate like never before.

Price rise, unemployment and development besides local problems are what voters are concerned about and they are in no mood to cast their vote for any candidate unless they are truly convinced about the credibility and commitment of the candidate approaching them.

Bengaluru itself witnessed two MPs being confronted by voters on crucial issues concerning them and this obviously points to an enlightened and aware electorate which is demanding answers for unfulfilled promises and is definitely unwilling to give away their vote for empty assurances.

There are no doubt problems and issues specific to each constituency and if people are demanding their due, there does not seem to be anything wrong with this approach.

The prime minister still seems to tower above others in the campaign and one wonders if the fortunes of the opposition would have been different if they had found a senior leader who could have taken on him as a consensus candidate of the opposition for the top post.

That has obviously not happened and on the contrary, opposition parties are fighting each other in many states leaving the electorate perplexed and confused.

‘One candidate for each of the 543 constituencies’ to take on the nominees of the BJP and its allies was an idea which had come up months ahead of the polls but that proposal died a quick death.

A broad-based front, knit together on the basis of a unity of purpose and an alternative programme, could have proved to be an effective buffer against the ruling dispensation but now, that will have to wait till the polls are over.

Meanwhile, what is clearly emerging from amidst the heat and dust of the campaign is the fact that the people are keeping their choices closely hidden in their hearts and are not going to be swept off their feet by grandiose dreams being projected before them by every party on a grand scale.

This is no doubt a game changer of an election where people’s aspirations are touching new highs - along with the soaring temperature! And politicians who assumed that they could take them for granted with freebies and allurements, are definitely in for a big shock.