Narendra Modi draws his legitimacy from electoral mandates. The devastating pandemic, lockdown-induced migration, job losses and inflation, among other setbacks, were all forgotten as he worked his magic on the voters in the latest round of state elections.
In terms of scale, the BJP now rules over 40 per cent of India’s geographical area, down from 70 per cent in 2018, but the impact of this latest victory is the biggest since the election that returned the prime minister to power in 2019. It is a sobering lesson for the losers, and a bigger challenge for the contenders, if any, to his throne in 2024. Politics in the Modi era is a 24x7 phenomenon; it is not to be practised just before elections, as the opposition found out in Uttar Pradesh.
The March 10 verdict marks a big shift in the country’s polity. It is a signal that sharp politics and messaging work, if done around the clock. The Uttar Pradesh result marks the rise of a new, muscular politics and the addition of another leader to the firmament. Two decades ago, Narendra Modi—having been picked as Gujarat chief minister by the BJP’s central leadership in 2001—led the party to victory in the 2002 state elections. He won the mandate for himself. Now, Yogi Adityanath has done the same. Plucked out of relative obscurity in 2017, he has now proven his electoral strength. If 2002 was the start of the Modi era, this well could be the beginning of Yogi’s.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock