The last weekend was an extremely busy one for Narendra Modi and the BJP. On Saturday, he was in Imphal, Gauhati and finally in Chennai addressing rallies. On Sunday, after an initial programme of an educational institution in Chennai, he was addressing different functions at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
The defining moment of public functions was the unprecedented audience response to Narendra Modi. The Imphal rally is perceived to be the largest political rally in Manipur. The BJP does not have a very strong organization in Manipur. Despite that, for Modi to draw an unprecedented crowd itself is an indicator of the current mood. He attracted massive crowds at the party rallies at Gauhati and Chennai and finally in Kerala. His other functions defied religious and the caste divide. The communities, where there had been lesser support for the BJP in the past, enthusiastically invited him to their functions. Their response was overwhelming.
Crowds thronged in large numbers to hear Shri Narendra Modi speak at a rally in Assam
There is currently a mood of disillusionment with Congress. People are looking for a hope. Does Modi symbolize all that an exasperated population is looking for? People want a tall, inspirational and decisive leader. They want to redefine standards of probity? Price rise, unemployment and stagnation of economy are disturbing them. It is, therefore, understandable that in traditional BJP strongholds in north, central and western parts of the country Modi should draw an unprecedented response. What does this unprecedented support mean in areas where the BJP traditionally has not been very strong? How is it that in states of the north-east, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala the attendance at Modi rallies is unprecedented and the crowd response is electrifying? Does this trend signify something more?
Obviously such mammoth crowds do not appear out of thin air? They indicate a strong undercurrent. It is an undercurrent, which is motivated both by anger and also with hope. The people are angry with the status quo. They want a change. Modi signifies that change and the hope that the change will be for the better. The political support behind Modi now needs to convert this election into a referendum on Modi. If he manages to do so, this undercurrent will translate into seats. The support of the various sections of the society is much larger than the strength of the BJP in those states. Are we in for a pleasant surprise in these regions?
The above blog is shared by Shri Arun Jaitley on his blog. You can read the original blog here.
