WILL the so-called Modi wave prove to be forceful enough to get the Bharatiya Janata Party a majority on its own or with its allies – or will it prove to be an embarrassing flop?
If the latter comes true, the Indian media, which has been accused by parties opposed to the BJP of whipping up a frenzy of Modi propaganda, will have egg on its face – and it will stink to high heavens in the torrid heat of the Indian summer.
Western leaders who have been royally sucking up to Modi – all for economic reasons, of course – will for sure cut a sorry figure.
And the BJP’s credibility as well as that of Modi will be in tatters, perhaps never to recover again.
However, if Narendra Modi does become Prime Minister, he will have no option but to be a moderate for the international community will not tolerate attacks on religious minorities and economic sanctions will ruin the Indian economy.
How Modi ends up satisfying the Hindu fanatical elements of his party and supporters will be interesting to watch.
How he handles the economy of the nation – which is not the same as managing the economy of just one state, Gujarat – will also be interesting to watch, as will the way he handles Pakistan.
If Modi can’t win the support of enough allies to form a government in case his BJP fails to get a majority on its own, then he will soon become a pariah for his own party with many prominent members who were sidetracked ready to strike back.
On the other hand, the Congress Party’s chances appear to be rather slim, but it has the skills to put together a coalition based on their hatred for the BJP. So don’t count it out yet. The Nehru-Gandhi family has bounced back time and again and no amount of vitriolic attacks by politicians such as Modi can destroy them.
THE last round of the election takes place on Monday (May 12) and the results will be declared four days later (Friday, May 16).
Eight rounds of election have already taken place on April 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 24 and 30, and May 7.
As many as 814 million Indians were eligible to vote in the 16th parliamentary election to elect the Lok Sabha (House of Commons) that has 545 seats. Two of the MPs are nominated by the President.
The states of Sikkim, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are also electing new assemblies (state legislatures).
BY RATTAN MALL
