Elections 2014 were a referendum on Modi

Editor’s note: This is a comment we received on the article, “ Why Gopal Gandhi’s open letter to Modi is wrong-headed and odious ” published earlier today. Apart from light editing for spelling and grammar, the comment has been left as is.

By Rohit

The author, unfortunately betrays his own prejudice. The analysis stands in case of a pure parliamentary election. But this election was essentially a referendum on Modi - Rahul Gandhi was clearly a non-runner and the speculation surrounding Kejriwal was evidently more media hype than anything else.

Here’s the point: the BJP was not asking for votes based on a program (they released their manifesto after the first phase of polling was done!) but in Modi’s name. And Modi himself, while he shunned the hardcore Hindutva line, sought votes in the name of development and good governance. So, these elections were essentially a mandate on Modi, the man, and his perceived ability to deliver on those promises. So it becomes fair to say that while 31% of the people who actually voted for him and 69% of the people voted against him.

And to that extent, please note that Gopal Gandhi offers no criticism of the first-past-the-post system. So, in all fairness, the only valid criticism is that Modi was the one candidate who was hated least.

Also, on the point of similar or lesser vote shares for Mamata and Akhilesh, this was not a vote for them - personally, as much as it was for their stand of national issues (for Akhilesh and Mayawati) and regional issues (Mamata and Jaya).

Finally, as to the advice Gopal Gandhi offers Modi, it is his personal opinion and prerogative and your judgement of it is ignorant more than anything else. Many consider Modi’s win an unprecedented situation, but there are striking similarities to the hope India felt about Indira Gandhi before she showed her real face.

Which is why with Modi’s communal baggage, he becomes especially scary for those who believe the worst about him. (and in our society, can you blame them, really?) For all haters, I hail from Gujarat and was and still am for the “Modi sarkaar”. But even in my hope there’s a shadow of a fear that this might all go to hell. But I hope we are strong and mature enough not to let it be that way.