AS PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI BARNSTORMS ACROSS RAJASTHAN ahead of the Lok Sabha election, there is a striking change in his demeanour. Gone is the stern, stoic figure that spearheaded the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign during the assembly election a mere six months ago. Back then, Modi maintained an impeccably sombre mien, eschewing even the most perfunctory of greetings to those sharing the dais. It was a studied aloofness to avoid any hint of favouritism amidst the jostling ambitions of the state's political heavyweights. But now, a distinctly more relaxed Modi exhibits an animated canvas of smiles and warmth as he engages freely with the local leaders, even welcoming their company during road shows and rallies.
Led by Modi, the BJP had defeated the ruling Congress in the assembly election held last November. The comfortable majority it cornered has further cemented the party's position in the desert state, where it had a clean sweep in the past two Lok Sabha elections-alone in 2014 and with then ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) in 2019. And yet again, the party has rallied its forces around a singular figure: Narendra Modi. As the PM seeks a third term, his persona looms large, with votes being actively solicited under the banner of his leadership and for an emphatic mandate. While Union home minister Amit Shah has masterminded the overarching strategy and candidate selection, it is Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma who is spearheading the on-ground offensive. In just about a month, he has led 60-odd rallies and road shows, his itinerary punctuated by visits to sacred shrines. Alongside the CM, deputy chief minister Diya Kumari is an indefatigable presence, attending two to three election events daily.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 29, 2024 من India Today.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 29, 2024 من India Today.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
ARTS AND THE MAN
In his centenary year, F.N. Souza: The Archetypal Artist tries to make sense of the recurring themes in the artist’s work
The Reluctant Art Critic
Advertising executive, art critic and possible catalyst of the modern Indian art movement, Rudolf von Leyden was an intriguing figure in pre-Independence Bombay
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST & POET
ANINDYO ROY’S THE VICEROY’S ARTIST IS A FICTIONALISED ACCOUNT OF EDWARD LEAR’S TRAVELS IN INDIA
Lady of the Light
This artist has transformed the humble bulb into a thing of beauty
S'more to Think Of
Called Marshmallow, this penthouse in Gurgaon with soft curves and plush aesthetics stays true to its name
A Marvelous Melange
From stylish living quarters to multipurpose adaptive space, this home in Mumbai turns every nook into a showstopper
TECH MEETS TEXTURE
Smart fabrics and intelligent textiles are changing the way we view home furnishings
Refresh and Revive
That old table, those cabinets or even the console can be given a new lease of life, one that is tailor-made to the latest trends
Standout Spaces
Want dramatic interiors but don’t know how? This home in Mumbai becomes a lesson in learning the nuances of adding magic inside.
Vernacular Wise
Forget international brands and design, the beauty and simplicity of local materials and ancient techniques is gaining momentum