ArpitGarg's Weblog

I was not born to witness the Nehru/Indira era when Congress got votes regardless of the performance. For good or for bad, I can’t say, but am seeing something similar with Modi. He is single handedly winning elections from Panchayat to Parliament. Opposition stands decimated. Barring a couple of states (that too don’t seem far off now), Modi wave has engulfed the entire country. Where does this leave the opposition parties?

At this moment, the national and to a large extent regional parties too are in disarray. I highly doubt that even a Bihar like alliance would even be able to save them. In my opinion, opposition should acknowledge that it’s Modi era and whatever they say/do; no one is ready to listen. You might recall Sharukh’s era from 1995-2010, when only Shahrukh’s movies were a hit and rest all came distant second. We are in a similar situation now.

If BJP wins MCD elections in Delhi, which I am highly confident they will, then opposition has no standing in electoral politics at least till 2024. If Modi can salvage BJP from the corrupt MCD rule of last 10 years then nothing can stop BJP from winning anywhere else. People trust him, simple.

Opposition parties should go back to their basics and work out a long term plan. They should take a leaf out of Nitish Kumar’s book and create a development image for themselves. They need something as radical as Sharab-bandi to fight Modi. It will be an image war. Freebies won’t do the trick now. They have to make their intent clear.

Opposition should stop electoral ambitions for next 5-7 years. Only then it can redeem itself. Trying to appease certain segments with freebies (as against sustainable development) won’t help in Modi era. He has combined majority politics with development plank and there is no stopping.
Go back to grass root. Get involved in social service, which was your primary aim.

Raise the issues of common man. And hope that Modi falters. I am afraid there is nothing more you can do.