- The preparations for the much-awaited Lok Sabha elections are underway across the country. The poll date announcement by the Election Commission of India has galvanized the political parties to press ahead with intent, purpose, and clarity to gear up for the mother of all elections. The finalization of candidates for the Parliamentary elections is almost complete going by the look of things. The political parties are left to grapple with a few last-minute selection conundrums which should be addressed in the next few days. Mind you, there’s hardly any time left to go before the electorate with the manifesto. Undoubtedly, the main battle will be between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Grand Old Party of India. Let’s see how the battleground is drawn out.
PC: The Economic Times
- The National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP and the United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress are the two main national political parties vying for the honors. Of course, several equally strong regional outfits will be posing a direct challenge to these two established national players. Remember, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by the indefatigable Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakham (DMK) led by MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi are some of the stronger regional political parties. All these political parties are not only opposed to the BJP but also pose formidable challenges to the relentless march of the saffron brigade.
- Now, the entire country is aware of how the BJP’s electoral machinery chugs along with such seriousness, devotion, passion, and a must-win attitude that it leaves one wondering how the saffron brigade manages to stay so focused right through the year. As you are aware, the opposition parties are crying hoarse over how the BJP has targeted opposition ranks by unleashing law enforcement agencies like the ED, CBI, IT, and other institutions. There is some truth behind these claims since none of the BJP leaders are the target of the law enforcement agencies, you see. We know none of the political parties are the leaders who can lay claim to being holy cows. But targeting the opposition ranks alone definitely reeks of high-handedness.
PC: The Hindu Times
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether the ED’s arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal would pose any serious challenges to the BJP’s electoral fortunes. Or for that matter, whether the opposition ranks are going to derive any mileage, traction, or heft vis-à-vis electoral dividends by highlighting that a prominent leader is being targeted for parochial considerations. Both these arguments will not cut much ice with the electorate’s perception since the ED had issued nine summonses to Kejriwal before the arrest was eventually made. Of all the mainstream parties in the fray, the BJP has projected itself as a corruption-free entity labeling all others as corrupt, dynastic, and uncaring about the nationalistic postures propounded by the former. Let’s wait for what the electoral outcome would be.
