Omkar Dattatray
In general election 2019, the mundane issues are sidelined and it is the narrative on nationalism which occupies a central stage. The Lok Sabha election 2019 has become an election between nationalism Vs Terrorism and Separatism. Though the pressing issues which matter are relegated to the background, it is the narrative of nation first which has in fact eclipsed other issues which matter more to the electorates.
Thus this election is an extraordinary one and it has assumed historical importance thanks to the election battle between Modi & others Vs Rahul and others and in this election tussle nationalism and patriotism has attracted the attention of the gullible voters and this is no mean development by any standard given the fragile security environment and the menace of terrorism and separatism in J&K, northeast and the naxlite problem in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and other Indian states. People of these states are fed up by the monster of terrorism, separatism and want peace security and tranquility and thus the pressing issues are relegated to the background but thank God the issue of national security, national pride and nationalism has occupied a central place in these elections. Post Pulwama terrorist attack of February 14, 2019 which is very shocking as forty CRPF personnel were martyred has given impetus to the nationalism narrative and therefore even developmental issues are sidelined and the people are even ready to forego development at the altar of national pride and security. Narinder Modi who is the embodiment of nationalism and patriotism has used the election occasion to forge unity in the country and thereby nationalism and my country first attitude has gained currency and momentum thanks to the mobilization of people after Pulwama attack and thus this attack which should not have happened has in fact led to the most wanted national cohesion in the country which was badly required. So this election battle is the tussle between nationalism Vs anti-nationalist forces masquerading as so called mahagathbandan which Modi rightly called mahamilavati gathbandhan.
Therefore, it can be safely argued that this election has given BJP a handle to beat other political parties for their soft approach towards terrorism and anti national activities. There is no denying the fact that the stature and pride of the nation has risen internationally during the five year rule of NDA government and the role of Narinder Modi in the elevation of national pride & status cannot be denied as it is an open book to see. Even the detractors and rivals of Modi also recognize and realize this but then being in opposition they put on the blinkers and thus try to hide behind the colored spectacles the developmental narrative and the national pride & status of the country. Their-opposition rhetoric notwithstanding there is an inherent agreement even in the opposition benches about the increase of national pride and status of the nation but because of being in opposition they are clamoring that Modi and BJP has done nothing or very little during their golden rule of five years.
The fact is that developmental issues got a front seat during the Modi's five year rule along with the national security and national pride and the people's issues got priority during five year rule of Modi. So Modi is right in arguing that the five years rule of NDA has more achievements to the credit than the half a century rule of congress and other parties. But in the present Lok Sabha election the top priority has automatically but spontaneously got attached to nationalism and patriotism.
Therefore, for right country above all has sidelined the pressing issues in this election. In fact the Lok Sabha election this time is being fought in somewhat changed atmosphere which is charged with nationalist emotions which reminds one about the assembling reactions in 1972 after the creation of Bangladesh. People all over the country want a stable and strong government and that government which can take on the enemies within and without is BJP and Modi sarkar.
Therefore, one can safely say that this election is battle for the national pride and the common refrain in U.P rather whole of the country is ‘Aur ab ke chunav nahi desk ki khatir jung hai' and so the election 2019 is the referendum on Modi's achievement and his commitment to national cohesion & pride. There is some magnetism in the personality of Modi that in the last election of 2014 I had made up my mind to vote for any other candidate of any other party but when I went to polling booth for casting my vote I voted for BJP candidate and such is the charismatic personality of Modi.
Modi's magnetism which attracts people from far and wide and even his rivals sometimes. Coming back to the sidelining of the real issues by the parties, it can be remarked that this election 2019 is the battle for nationalism & thus merited attention of the gullible voters. Long live Indian democracy and nationalism.
