London, In a detailed analysis, The Guardian, a UK-based daily, has asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections is “almost an inevitability.” The article extensively examines the factors contributing to this perceived inevitability, emphasizing recent victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the Prime Minister’s widespread popularity, and emotive issues such as the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya.
PM Modi’s own confidence in predicting victory after the hat-trick of state wins is highlighted, and the piece underscores the prevailing consensus among political analysts that a triumph for Modi and the BJP is the “most plausible outcome” given the current political landscape.
While acknowledging pockets of strong regional opposition in south and east India, the article characterizes the national opposition as “fragmented and weak.” It provides insights into the BJP’s strategic pre-election campaign, the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra,’ which involves deploying thousands of government officers to communicate the party’s achievements across towns and villages.
The column delves into the BJP’s dominance since Modi assumed office in 2014, citing his popularity as a political strongman and the party’s adherence to a Hindu nationalist agenda. The anticipation of the BJP’s campaign focusing on critical issues like jobs and inflation is noted, with recognition that these factors could influence voting behavior.
Quoting Baijayant Panda, the national vice president of the BJP, the article attributes the party’s confidence to the “Modi premium” and foresees a third term characterized by economic success and India’s elevation as a global power.
Despite acknowledging uncertainties in crucial states like Bihar and Maharashtra and potential challenges related to issues such as jobs and inflation, the column concludes that the BJP’s recent victories have solidified Modi’s popularity and the party’s overall position.