Congress, MNF and TRS
witnessed a grand victory in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana whereas it
proved to be an honourable defeat for Shivraj Singh Chauhan in MP. Despite his
defeat, Shivraj retained his honour in MP where the BJP
maintained its margin till mid-night even after 15 years long triple
anti-incumbency. INC’s win in Rajasthan was all on expected lines but with a
low margin. For the BJP, the election
results, on 11 December, coincided with several unfortunate developments like
the resignation of RBI Governor, a 755-point slide in the share market and the
resignation of Upendra Kushwaha from ministerial post and withdrawal from NDA. Further,
the results were a big setback for BJP central leadership ahead of 2019 Lok
Sabha elections in 2019 but a boost for Rahul Gandhi led Congress. The results have well underlined
many perspectives which will continue to be critically important factors in country’s
politics and 2019 LS polls. HIGH STAKE: Of course, BJP stalwarts
denied that the elections results will have an impact on the outcome of the
2019 general elections. However, Congress's Rajasthan chief Sachin Pilot said
that the election results 2018 are important as it may impact 2019 general
elections. The five states put together account for 84 out of the 543 Lok Sabha
seats and were a critically important test to get peoples’ pulse ahead of 2019
Lok Sabha elections. RAHUL REGAINS: For Rahul led Congress, there was nothing to lose but only to gain
from the BJP ruling in three northern states. Being the last set of assembly
elections before the 2019 general elections it was the make or break elections
for Congress and Rahul Gandhi since losing disastrously in 2014. Such a big win across
states within 365 days of taking over as party president may boost Rahul's image
and help him consolidate himself not only within his own party but also in the
opposition ranks. In this context, Raj
Thackeray's remark over Rahul (Pappu transforms into Parampujya) is a
reflection of the change of image for Rahul Gandhi and Congress. OXYGEN FOR CONGRESS: By having governments in
Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and MP, INC would be able to replenish its
treasury which had almost depleted post demonetisation. This may enable it to
mount a respectable campaign in 2019. GRAND ALLIANCE: The perceived change has made the concept of a grand alliance
against BJP a tad more real. The best
takeaway would be that Modi-led NDA will have a rejuvenated opposition at
Centre - a boost for a healthy democracy.
SHOW WILL GO ON: It seems now that 2014 may not repeat itself in 2019. Clearly,
the BJP is faced with a tough challenge. And it will do well to introspect in
terms of its approach towards running the affairs of party, politics, agenda
and administration. FUTURE AGENDA: Rahul’s soft-Hindutwa
appears to have been well-received across the Hindi heartland which is a good
lesson for so-called secularist parties like Congress and others. It endorses
that none could ignore the majority's belief system in India. Minority
appeasement will take a back-seat now whereas aggression in the name of
majority and Hindutwa too would be pushed to the back burner. The results may also be a
setback to Ram Mandir agenda. Similarly, renaming exercises like Prayag and
Ayodhya have not yielded the desired results; at least in these five states. BREAKING THE MYTHS: The results broke several
myths of efficient election management which had become synonymous with
Prashant Kishore and Amit Shah. This doesn't mean that election management has
no meaning. It only means that Shah and Kishore would have to innovate and come
out with better management techniques to ensure a win for Modi in 2019. CONGRESS-MUKT NORTH EAST: The Modi-Shah's tactics
seemed to have worked well in the North East where Congress lost its last
bastion in Mizoram badly. Since 2014 Congress has lost all the North-East
states to the NDA. NATIONAL POLITICS & REGIONAL ASPIRATION: It was a high-stake
election not just for BJP and Congress but for regional forces as well. While
the country may be seen making baby steps towards a two-party system, TRS'
victory suggests that regional satraps still retain their charms. (By RakeshRanjan) 
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Meaning of assembly results 2018: Analysis
By IndianMandarins - 2018-12-12 10:34:26
Congress, MNF and TRS
witnessed a grand victory in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana whereas it
proved to be an honourable defeat for Shivraj Singh Chauhan in MP. Despite his
defeat, Shivraj retained his honour in MP where the BJP
maintained its margin till mid-night even after 15 years long triple
anti-incumbency. INC’s win in Rajasthan was all on expected lines but with a
low margin.
For the BJP, the election results, on 11 December, coincided with several unfortunate developments like the resignation of RBI Governor, a 755-point slide in the share market and the resignation of Upendra Kushwaha from ministerial post and withdrawal from NDA. Further, the results were a big setback for BJP central leadership ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in 2019 but a boost for Rahul Gandhi led Congress.
The results have well underlined many perspectives which will continue to be critically important factors in country’s politics and 2019 LS polls.
HIGH STAKE:
Of course, BJP stalwarts denied that the elections results will have an impact on the outcome of the 2019 general elections. However, Congress's Rajasthan chief Sachin Pilot said that the election results 2018 are important as it may impact 2019 general elections. The five states put together account for 84 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats and were a critically important test to get peoples’ pulse ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
RAHUL REGAINS:
For Rahul led Congress, there was nothing to lose but only to gain from the BJP ruling in three northern states. Being the last set of assembly elections before the 2019 general elections it was the make or break elections for Congress and Rahul Gandhi since losing disastrously in 2014.
Such a big win across states within 365 days of taking over as party president may boost Rahul's image and help him consolidate himself not only within his own party but also in the opposition ranks.
In this context, Raj Thackeray's remark over Rahul (Pappu transforms into Parampujya) is a reflection of the change of image for Rahul Gandhi and Congress.
OXYGEN FOR CONGRESS:
By having governments in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and MP, INC would be able to replenish its treasury which had almost depleted post demonetisation. This may enable it to mount a respectable campaign in 2019.
GRAND ALLIANCE:
The perceived change has made the concept of a grand alliance against BJP a tad more real. The best takeaway would be that Modi-led NDA will have a rejuvenated opposition at Centre - a boost for a healthy democracy.
SHOW WILL GO ON:
It seems now that 2014 may not repeat itself in 2019. Clearly, the BJP is faced with a tough challenge. And it will do well to introspect in terms of its approach towards running the affairs of party, politics, agenda and administration.
FUTURE AGENDA:
Rahul’s soft-Hindutwa appears to have been well-received across the Hindi heartland which is a good lesson for so-called secularist parties like Congress and others. It endorses that none could ignore the majority's belief system in India. Minority appeasement will take a back-seat now whereas aggression in the name of majority and Hindutwa too would be pushed to the back burner.
The results may also be a setback to Ram Mandir agenda. Similarly, renaming exercises like Prayag and Ayodhya have not yielded the desired results; at least in these five states.
BREAKING THE MYTHS:
The results broke several myths of efficient election management which had become synonymous with Prashant Kishore and Amit Shah. This doesn't mean that election management has no meaning. It only means that Shah and Kishore would have to innovate and come out with better management techniques to ensure a win for Modi in 2019.
CONGRESS-MUKT NORTH EAST:
The Modi-Shah's tactics seemed to have worked well in the North East where Congress lost its last bastion in Mizoram badly. Since 2014 Congress has lost all the North-East states to the NDA.
NATIONAL POLITICS & REGIONAL ASPIRATION:
It was a high-stake election not just for BJP and Congress but for regional forces as well. While the country may be seen making baby steps towards a two-party system, TRS' victory suggests that regional satraps still retain their charms.
(By RakeshRanjan)
