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.
Esta historia es de la edición April 29, 2024 de India Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 29, 2024 de India Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Age Of Influencers
A Tribe Of Young, Educated Internet Warriors Is Shaping Public Opinion With Curated Videos On Social Media Platforms
Will Naveen Make Or Be History?
The BJD Patriarch Faces His Fiercest Challenge Ever As A Determined Bjp Works To Stymie His Bid To Become India's Longest-serving Chief Minister
Scoring a Century
Manoj Bajpayee has just acted in his 100th project-Bhaiyya Ji
FRAGMENTED RUINS
A new exhibition at Gallery XXL, Mumbai juxtaposes the artworks of an Indian and a Spanish artist
United by Art
Moments in Collapse, SAHMAT's group exhibition at Jawahar Bhawan in Delhi brings together artworks with politically charged themes
In Her Mother's Voice
Vidya Vox's exuberant new EP, Sundari, is primarily in Tamil as a tribute to her mother
"MURDER, HE WROTE"
Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz shine in JioCinema's Murder in Mahim, a web series based on Jerry Pinto's layered crime novel
FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS
Gujarat sees another major tragedy as businesses flout safety norms and officials look away. This time it's 33 lives lost in a blaze at a gaming zone
THWARTED FRANCHISE
Robertsganj, on the southeastern tip of Uttar Pradesh, is a study in how a coalition of other castes often defeats the aspirations of the majority caste among Dalits-in constituencies reserved for the Scheduled Castes
THE LAST FRONTIER
PURVANCHAL HOSTS THE BIGGEST STAR CANDIDATE IN INDIA: NARENDRA MODI IN VARANASI. THAT MAY BE A NO-CONTEST, BUT CRAFTY CASTE PLAY BY THE SP-CONGRESS POSES A CHALLENGE IN THE OTHER DOZEN SEATS