The Tactician Narendra Modi and the Practician Amit Shah override the Indian electorate

The Indian electorate, particularly in recent years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has been subject to sophisticated political strategies involving the use of men, materials, money, and government agencies. Modi’s BJP has capitalized on a combination of factors that outsmart opposition parties. The results of the State elections like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Haryana are the best examples of the tactician Narendra Modi and the practician Amit Shah overriding the Indian electorate.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an ideologue of the BJP, provides an extensive and disciplined cadre that works at the grassroots level, mobilizing voters and shaping political narratives. The RSS has a well-structured network across India, especially in North and West India, which helps the BJP in voter outreach, organizing rallies, and carrying out door-to-door campaigns.

Narendra Modi’s appeal has played a crucial role in attracting a large segment of the electorate. His carefully crafted image as a decisive leader who represents “development incarnate” (Vikas Purush) and a strong nationalist has resonated with the masses. The BJP tactically contrasts Modi’s persona with the perceived weaknesses of opposition leaders.  The BJP’s use of technology, social media, and data analytics has created a sophisticated digital army. Influencers, party workers, and even fake accounts have been used to push narratives, amplify pro-BJP sentiments, and counter any anti-Modi opposition.

Materials (Narratives, Media Control)

Modi’s BJP has excelled at framing issues that resonate with large sections of the population. The narrative of nationalism (especially after events like the Balakot airstrike), anti-corruption (like demonetization), and Hindu identity has been amplified to consolidate voters around cultural and emotional issues, overshadowing economic or governance-related criticism.

There is a widespread belief that large sections of mainstream media in India have become favourable to Modi and the BJP. Media outlets often provide disproportionate coverage, to Modi’s rallies and speeches, presenting him as the central figure in Indian politics. Critical voices and opposition leaders are often sidelined, or negative news about them is over-emphasized.  Through mass communication techniques, including media manipulation and controlling the narrative on social media, the BJP has successfully diverted attention from critical issues like unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ distress to emotionally charged issues like national security and Hindutva

Money (Election Spending)

The BJP is one of the wealthiest political parties in India. Enormous sums of money are spent on campaigning, which includes advertisements in newspapers, TV, and digital platforms. BJP’s funding comes from a variety of sources, including electoral bonds, which have been criticized for lacking transparency and disproportionately benefiting the ruling party.  Modi’s government introduced electoral bonds, a system that allows anonymous donations to political parties.

Critics argue that this system enables corporate donations to flow predominantly to the ruling party, giving the BJP an overwhelming financial advantage over the opposition. The bonds scheme has since been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.  Modi’s close ties with industrialists and big businesses have also ensured a steady flow of funds. This money is used for election campaigning, rallies, and advertising, giving the BJP an enormous advantage in reaching voters compared to cash-strapped opposition parties.

Agencies Curbing the Opposition

The Modi government has been accused of using central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department to target opposition leaders. Several opposition leaders and critics of the Modi regime have faced investigations, raids, and arrests, which are seen as attempts to stifle dissent and weaken the opposition.

Institutions like the Election Commission of India have faced criticism for being biased or lenient towards the BJP, raising concerns over their independence. Similarly, allegations have been made that the Modi government uses its control over the judiciary and other autonomous bodies to safeguard its interests.  Modi’s government has also been accused of cracking down on civil society, NGOs, journalists, and activists who criticize government policies. This creates a climate of fear and discourages criticism, thereby allowing the government to push its narrative unchallenged.

Dividing the Opposition

The BJP has benefited from a fragmented opposition. Modi and Amit Shah have strategically divided regional and national parties by luring leaders into the BJP or making alliances wherever convenient. The inability of the opposition to present a united front, either due to ideological differences or strategic miscalculations, has made it easier for the BJP to win elections.  The BJP has successfully broken political alliances and engineered defections in key states. By encouraging factionalism within opposition parties, the BJP has managed to destabilize opponents and convert once-strong adversaries into political non-entities.

Weaponizing Religion and Nationalism

The BJP has emphasized its Hindutva ideology, appealing to the majority Hindu population by playing on religious sentiments. Incidents like the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya and anti-Muslim rhetoric during campaigns have helped the BJP consolidate the Hindu vote while isolating Muslim voters.  Modi has positioned himself as a protector of India’s national security, particularly after events like the Balakot strikes in Pakistan. By projecting himself as a strong leader capable of standing up to India’s adversaries (China, Pakistan), Modi shifts the focus away from domestic concerns to external threats.

The Tactician Narendra Modi and the Practician Amit Shah override the Indian electorate – The case studies

Pulwama-Balakot Episode – 2019 General Elections

In February 2019, a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. In response, India conducted airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan, just months before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.  Modi and the BJP used the incident to project themselves as protectors of India’s national security. Modi’s speeches emphasized “strong leadership” and portrayed the opposition as weak on security. BJP managed to make this a key electoral issue, diverting attention from other pressing issues like unemployment, agrarian distress, and economic slowdown.  The Balakot strikes boosted Modi’s image as a tough leader, overshadowing the opposition’s campaign on economic and governance issues, and contributing significantly to BJP’s resounding victory in 2019.

Engineering Defections and Toppling State Governments

The Congress won the 2018 assembly elections and formed the government under Kamal Nath. However, in 2020, Jyotiraditya Scindia, a prominent Congress leader, defected to the BJP with several MLAs, leading to the fall of the Congress government. The BJP returned to power without an election.  Similarly, in Karnataka, the BJP engineered defections within the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, leading to the collapse of the coalition government.

The BJP then formed the government under B.S. Yediyurappa.  Although Congress emerged as the largest party in the 2017 Goa elections, BJP swiftly formed alliances with regional parties and managed to secure the majority, sidelining Congress and retaining power.  This practice, often termed “Operation Lotus,” involves creating defections within opposition parties, enticing opposition leaders with promises of political power or financial incentives, and using these defections to destabilize opposition-led state governments.

The Demonetization (2016)

In November 2016, Modi suddenly announced demonetization, making ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes invalid, as being legal tender. The move was framed as a step against black money, corruption, and terrorism financing.  Many analysts believe demonetization severely impacted opposition parties, particularly regional parties like Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which relied heavily on cash for election campaigning. The BJP, with its vast financial and organizational resources, was better equipped to handle the sudden liquidity crunch.  The move was praised as a bold step against corruption and resonated with the electorate. BJP won key elections in the following months, particularly the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with a sweeping mandate.

The use of Nationalism and Hindu Sentiment

After decades of legal and political battles, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in November 2019. Modi laid the foundation stone in August 2020, a heavily publicized and symbolic event for BJP’s Hindutva agenda.  BJP has strategically used the Ram Mandir issue to consolidate the Hindu vote bank. By keeping the issue alive for decades and finally resolving it under Modi’s rule, the party reaped electoral dividends, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where the temple is located.

The Control Over Media and Narratives

TheBJP has been accused of having significant control over a large section of mainstream media. Modi’s interviews are often soft, avoiding hard-hitting questions, while the government ensures a constant stream of positive news and visuals. During elections, the focus is often shifted towards Modi’s achievements or nationalist narratives, while opposition figures are either ridiculed or receive less airtime.

For instance, during the 2019 general elections, Modi’s media appearances were carefully managed to showcase his achievements, while critical issues like the Rafale deal, rising unemployment, and farmer suicides were downplayed.  The BJP’s digital strategy includes the use of WhatsApp and other platforms to circulate misleading information or propaganda. Often, fake news that vilifies opposition leaders or promotes Modi’s image is widely circulated during elections, shaping public opinion.

The Electoral Bonds and Money Power

Modi’s government introduced the Electoral Bonds Scheme in 2017, which allows anonymous political donations. The bulk of these donations has reportedly gone to the BJP, allowing it to massively outspend its rivals in elections. This gave BJP a significant advantage in terms of election campaigning, rallies, advertising, and voter outreach.  Opposition parties have struggled to compete with BJP’s financial power. For instance, in the 2019 general elections, BJP’s election spending was far greater than all other opposition parties combined, contributing to its electoral success.

The Tactician Narendra Modi and the Practician Amit Shah override the Indian electorate

The Division of the Opposition Votes

The BJP has frequently used smaller regional parties or independents to split opposition votes. In the Delhi assembly elections of 2020, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the BJP’s main rival.  The BJP supported the rise of small parties like Janata Dal (United) to cut into the AAP’s voter base. While the BJP lost the election, this strategy helped them consolidate some votes in traditionally weak areas.  In Uttar Pradesh, Modi and Shah successfully managed to fragment the opposition vote between the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. By creating confusion, emphasizing local caste equations, and playing on the opposition’s internal divisions, the BJP secured a landslide victory in the state.

The Central Agencies Targeting of Opposition

During the West Bengal assembly elections, several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders were investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in corruption cases. These agencies often initiate probes against opposition leaders just before elections, creating a perception of wrongdoing and weakening the opposition’s image.  The state saw multiple ED and CBI raids against opposition leaders, particularly from Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which form part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The BJP has often used central agencies to suppress political opponents and force defections.

The Farmer Protests (2020-2021)

The Modi government pushed through three controversial farm laws in 2020, which led to massive protests, especially from Punjab and Haryana farmers. Despite months of protests and international criticism, the government initially refused to budge.  Critics argued that the farm laws were meant to benefit large corporations, including industrialists close to Modi, by privatizing agriculture. The BJP initially sought to portray the farmers’ protests as politically motivated and supported by opposition parties like Congress.  In late 2021, Modi announced the repeal of the farm laws, just ahead of the critical Uttar Pradesh and Punjab assembly elections in 2022, where the BJP feared a significant backlash from farmers.

The Tactician Narendra Modi and the Practician Amit Shah override the Indian electorate – The Conclusion

The Indian electorate, particularly in recent years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has been subject to sophisticated political strategies involving the use of men, materials, money, and government agencies. Modi’s BJP has capitalized on a combination of factors that outsmart opposition parties. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have successfully used a combination of political manoeuvring, media management, money power, and central agencies to not only outmanoeuvre the opposition but also create a favourable perception among the electorate. Their strategic use of nationalism, Hindutva, and clever campaign narratives has allowed them to maintain a winning streak in elections, often tilting the democratic playing field in their favour.