Page 8 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

Is India ready to give

Modi another chance?

While BJP seems to be refashioning its strategy to gear up to the
challenges of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress is gaining
momentum and finding a foothold in creating a narrative that can

hold some interest, writes priti prakash

he stage is gradually set- focus is on politics. Development,
ting as political parties welfare and security issues, it seems,
have sounded prefatory have been sidelined.
bugle. Opposition par- Congress, the main opposition,
T ties — including leaders has sharpened its attack strategy.
of Opposition from 13 states — have The ‘Jan Akrosh rally’ at Ramlila
formed a grand alliance for a faceoff Ground in May, their first big rally to
with their most formidable oppo- set the pitch for national elections,
nent BJP. Media has self assigned had mustered huge crowd of party
itself bigger role months in advance workers in a show of strength, anger
as channels are howling ‘élections, and feeling of deception by the Modi
elections› throughout the day bul- government. The narrative of Con-
letin after bulletin for affecting and gress has been around Modi and
reflecting public opinion. The whole only Modi. A ‘Plan 400” has been

www.tehelka.com

8-12 Modi.indd 2 03/07/18 3:38 PM