Something unprecedented has happened in the Haryana elections that are being held today.
Modi is missing from most of the publicity material, hoardings, either missing or greatly reduced in size.
BJP has fought almost all elections prior to the 2024 General Elections by projecting Modi and his larger than life image.
Modi’s image dominates all posters, no matter who is the contestant. Until 2024 General Elections, it was said that even if a donkey (all donkey’s may please excuse me) stood for an election under the BJP banner and Modi’s backing, he would win hands down.
Not any longer it seems.
Already JP Nadda and Amit Shah feature more prominently in the posters.
Individual candidates have a larger image than Modi, something that had never happened before.
The writing on the wall is quite clear. Haryana is a lost case. The CM, Manohar Lal Khattar, who ruled for 9.5 years and was completely backed by Modi is missing from all posters. In fact, local buzz is that if you bring Manohar Lal Khattar to an assembly campaign, then that candidate is assured of losing the seat!
So, how did things go so wrong?
Modi as the PM is solely responsible for the state-of-affairs of BJP in Haryana.
One is that he allowed Manohar Lal Khattar, an old friend, a free hand and did nothing to control him.
Two is that Modi went back on the MSP assurance given to farmers when he rolled back the Three Farm Laws.
Three is that he used excessive force and Haryana machinery to thwart farmers from coming to Delhi to press their demand of MSP that had been promised earlier.
Four is that the Agni Veer Scheme has not found any favor with people of Haryana, who were sending a lot of youth into the defense forces.
Five is his obstinacy on not taking action against Wrestling Federation Chief, Brij Bhusan Singh Sharan, who was facing sexual abuse allegations by women wrestlers, some of them under the age of 18. Fifth is that he never took time out to meet the protesting wrestlers and used excessive force against them when they were protesting in Delhi.
Six is that he organized a meeting with the Olympic team before Vinesh Phogat returned to Delhi such as to avoid meeting her (he had once called her his daughter).
All these events have angered the Haryana population. They have decided to vote BJP out.
It may turn out to be a complete rout.
And Modi never wants to be associated with any defeat. So, this time around there are no brave slogans, like Modi Ki Guarantee, that are rending the air.
The lapdog media will do its utmost on 8th October to shield Modi from the debacle that stares the party in the face.
About time too.
