Promises- Some Broken, Some Forgotten

Party coffers overflow, while poll promises remain unfulfilled

If PM Modi led Indian government has one fault more than the other, it is its penchant for rhetoric harangue against truth, accompanied by vociferous and unprecedented twisting of facts.

But, alongside undelivered promises, is the unbelievable policy U-Turns that Modi and his government took with amazing alacrity.

"Opposing FDI till the last breath" to 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

BJP who rabble roused against Foreign Direct Investment in retail, multi-brand industry, "till the last breath" lost absolutely no time in reversing it's poll commitment to small retailers-arguably its steadfast voter base.

This move has hit the local retail industry and has had a cascading effect on small businesses, countryside and manufacturing units.

ई देखिये ई अस्थाना तो BJP का फ़ाइनैन्सर निकला, BJP को दिया था 20 करोड़ चंदा, जब भाजपाईयों के पास ऐसे घपलेबाज हैं तो उनको डोर टू डोर करने की क्या ज़रूरत? https://t.co/WEzX2HXNla
— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) October 27, 2018

The Rafale Scam – Doing away with middlemen

When PM Modi promised to eliminate the middlemen; none could have interpreted it to be a serious assault on constitutionally enshrined checks and balances that sustains a democracy. Within five years as a Prime minister, he has completely obliterated the rules and regulation and has effectively undermined the core concept of democracy.

A fistful of financial backers, clutch of politicians, with PM Modi as their vocal spokesperson and a lynch pin has resulted in select few seeing their wealth grow exponentially, while the middle class and the poor continue to slide into economical debt and rising food prices.

Neither farmer, Nor Soldier- It's Modi

It might be true, that PM Modi might not have benefitted financially, but, his financial backers will ensure that he retains power beyond 2019. Within the BJP, any well meaning powerful member, who protests crony capitalism, and questions the adhoc decision making by PM Modi and its coterie faces instant political oblivion. Most have decided to toe the line, others bide their time.

Who's the richest of them all?

After coming to power, BJP had it's priority sorted. They realized early on that it is not the small investors and traders and farmers who will help them win elections, but, financial might that will help them hijack the mind space of the electorate. Massive marketing and ubiquitous advertising blitz would ensure that the core voter base need not seek alternative narrative, however truthful, but have enough information to believe on.

Frauds in the last 4 years have outnumbered the achievements of BJP government. Vijay Mallya led a scam of about Rs. 9,000 Cr, Nirav Modi of Rs. 11,500 Cr, Jatin Mehta of Rs. 7,000 Cr, Nitin Sandesara of Rs. 5,000 Cr. How were they able to escape with people's money so easily?
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 28, 2018

The Choir Get's Preached

People believe what they want to, and a deep pocketed BJP has ensured that its propaganda machinery is never short of oil or fuel. Its breadth, depth and height of reach is impressive and has effectively out shouted the truth.

The core voter base of BJP has not only remained intact it has also steadfastly coalesced toward the Modi-Shah duo, thus within the BJP it has silenced the seasoned BJP leaders with impeccable credibility.

Rumblings Within

With 2019 in sight, PM Modi detractors within the party are pinning their hopes on the people and the will of opposition parties to forge a united front on a national front. Such a scenario, of a politically motivated patchwork of corrupt politicians stitching up an alliance to grab power effectively spooks out those who recall the era of regional satraps running the state as personal fiefdom.

Therein lies the hope that PM Modi relies on.

Amit Vats from New Delhi, Samira Khan from Mumbai

write to the editor@vpatrika.com