This is not how it has turned out. While Modi could tame the opposition and shut up his critics, he could not shut down democratic politics. This election is about the resurfacing of normal politics. The quotidian, the mundane, the local and the parochial stuff of politics refused to die, thus forcing Modi to play on a turning pitch that he is not comfortable with. He cannot win this election in one, single, grand masterstroke. He has to win it bit by bit, constituency by constituency. This may well prove the nemesis of Narendra Modi.

The resurgence of normal politics takes many forms. Rebellion within the BJP is just one of those forms. Frankly, the rebellion appears to have been over-rated by the media. The rebels may have been important figures within the BJP, but their spoiler value is limited. Even Keshubhai Patel’s influence is limited to a section of Leuva Patels of Saurashtra. The Sangh Parivar’s protest is less visible but at least of as much consequence. The ordinary RSS workers that we spoke to would like the BJP to win, but would ideally want Modi to command a substantially reduced majority so that he does not lose his head.

Another form is the rise of media, and not just the Delhi-based English and secular media, as counter-establishment. This has prevented Modi from setting the agenda of elections. This election is not about the macro economic achievements of Gujarat. Those achievement might impress the middle class urban Gujarati but have very little value outside this charmed circle. Ordinary people wish to see what these have meant in their own lives. Speak to any poor Gujarati in rural or urban areas about these achievements and he will narrate to you the tale of his woes in obtaining the basic necessities of life. Modi’s well cultivated aura of omniscience and omnipotence begins to boomerang here: the voters hold him responsible for everything, from price rise and lack of employment to agrarian crisis, the state of BPL card and having to pay electricity bills.

... contd.