What Modi baiters and bhakts will say on 12 and 16 May

With only one phase of polling left in general elections 2014, it is clear that the broad fate of the next government is sealed in EVMs. We will get an early whiff of it on 12 May, when the exit polls start coming in, and the final results four days later. But it is possible to guess what the comments will be, depending on whether you are a BJP partisan or an anti-Modi one. If BJP gets below 160 seats. What Modi haters in the media will say: This is a victory for the secular people of India. So LK Advani was right to challenge the projection of Modi as the PM candidate. In retrospect someone like Shivraj Chauhan would have been a better choice for BJP. [caption id=“attachment_1514473” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Narendra Modi’s supporters at a rally. AFP.[/caption] What Modi partisans in the media will say: The elections clearly rigged. Modi’s critics in the party will say we need to do serious introspection why we lost. If BJP gets below 180 seats and NDA around 210-220: What Modi haters will say: A triumph of secularism. Despite a splurge of spending and the projection of Modi in a hundred ways, voters have rejected him. The Indian voter cannot be taken for a ride with mere marketing. Two-thirds of voters are not in favour of Modi. What BJP apologists will say: The elections were rigged. If the BJP gets 200-plus and NDA around 230-240. What Modi haters will say: High pressure electoral spending driven by crony capitalists has worked, but the Indian voter has been wise to restrict Modi’s mandate and march to Hindutva. It is now upto the BJP’s secular allies, new and old, to make sure India stays away from Hindutva and the poison of communalism. What BJP partisans will say: The Congress propaganda and deliberate efforts to turn the minority vote against Modi restricted our mandate. This is a bad day for genuine secularism. But we are happy that the corrupt Congress regime is thrown out. If BJP wins 230-240 seats on its own. What Modi haters will say: This is nothing but a victory for money power and crony capitalism. Neo-liberals will rule and the poor will suffer as India Inc is shown favours. The Adanis and Ambanis will rejoice. All secularists must stand united against the BJP. NDA allies must set stiff terms to join the coalition. What BJP partisans will say: Our positive agenda of development and governance has resonated well with the voter. Phony secularists have been shown their place. If BJP wins a majority on its own: What Modi haters will say: This is not good news for India, but the Congress has only itself to blame for not stopping Modi. This is a defeat for the Congress and not a win for the BJP or Modi. He won by default. We, however, must respect the mandate, however flawed, and wait for a while to pass full judgment. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. What BJP partisans will say: The people have spoken. The Congress is finished. The dynasty is finished. The people do not want family rule anymore.