2014 will be a year India will never forget for quite some time owing to the sea of political changes that took place over the course of that one year. To say that almost all of these changes were triggered by one man would be an understatement. But if that one person happens to be Narendra Modi, then one definitely can’t expect anything less. So here’s a quick recap of all the twists and turns Indian politics took in 2014.
NaMo Makes It!
The BJP won a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections held in 2014. And the one man who paved the way for the same was Narendra Modi, the simple Chai walla who brought the entire Congress party to its knees as he ascended the throne designated for India’s Prime Minister. Modi has promised a better future for India. Judging by the looks of his current projects in the country and abroad, one can truly say that Modi is one of the most inspirational leaders we have had till date.
Goodbye dynasty politics
The BJP’s astounding victory in the elections meant only one thing for the Congress party; that their days of ruling the country with dynasty politics were over. It all started with Rahul Gandhi’s infamous confrontation with Arnab on live TV. The people were treated to a bird’s eye view of what was in store for them if Rahul were to become India’s PM.
Plus, the countless scams and corruptions that arose during the UPA regime made the people lose trust in the party. The Congress lost miserably in the general elections, and has continued losing streak in state assemblies. This only goes to prove one thing. The days of handing over the crown to the son and daughter are gone for good. India is no longer going to be impressed with a surname alone.
Regional parties face the brunt
Another tsunami effect the BJP created with its victory in the elections last year was the sidelining of the regional parties. Such was the effect of NaMo on the minds of the Indians that the BJP continued to ride the wave of success in the state assembly elections as well, trouncing a number of regional parties that usually enjoyed popularity in these regions.
Perhaps, the most riveting of these changes is the loss the Shiv Sena suffered in Maharashtra, the region in which it had enjoyed huge advantage and support. This has even started worrying the leaders of other regional parties, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar who are wondering about their fates should the BJP creep into their states as well.
Hit and Miss: AAP
Perhaps the only worry as well as the only contender the BJP had during the general elections was the Aam Aadmi Party led by Arwind Kejriwal. Formed by morally and socially responsible people, the AAP claimed to be the common man’s party and showed great promise of going places and even taking on bigwigs like the BJP and Congress. The party’s stellar win in the Delhi elections also cemented this fact. Alas, the celebrations did not last, and a few really ridiculous decisions (including the decision to resign as Delhi’s CM) made the AAP lose its trust among the people.
Hindutva is Back
Although the BJP promised a secular India during the election campaigns, we can see traces of the old Hindutva methodologies creeping back into the party and the nation. Starting from the demand made by Sushma Swaraj to make the Gita India’s national book, and December 25th being declared as Good Governance Day, to Sadhvi Saraswati who demanded the anniversary celebration of the Babri Masjid demolition, one can clearly see that the BJP is trying to get back onto its old tracks. One would need to see whether Prime Minister Modi would stay firm on his promise or allow these developments to derail his Prime Ministerial train.
Summary
India experienced a sea of political changes in 2014. However, the rise of the NaMo brand, the fall of dynasty politics, the blink and miss role of the AAP, the fall of regional parties and the arising of Hindutva policies are what grabbed the most headlines last year.
