This time around the prime minister would be seeking a verdict on his performance, including demonetisation drive.
The 2017 assembly election is no ordinary one. Nearly one-fifth of the total electorate in India would turn out to exercise their franchise. The elections to the Assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa to be held during February and March would involve 690 assembly constituencies.
The election would not only be the last hurrah for seasoned politicians such as Mulayam Singh Yadav, Parkash Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh, who has already declared it would be his last elections, but would also be a harbinger for the emergence of a young set of leaders.
But it is not just the magnitude of the elections that would make them important. At stake is the midterm test for the Narendra Modi government and the poll outcome would pave way for the next showdown in 2019 when the Centre would seek a second term. These would also be the first assembly polls after demonetisation of high-value currency notes and many are considering this as a referendum on the issue. It may not be a referendum on demonetisation as such, but the issue would certainly be talked about and have an impact on the final outcome.
Stakes are high for all political leaders, but the biggest test is for PM Narendra Modi and the BJP. In 2014, he was the challenger and he succeeded with elan. This time around, he would be seeking a verdict on his performance and shall like to pave the way for a second term in office. No wonder Brand Modi is up for a major test and he is not shying away from it.
Significantly, the BJP has not projected any CM candidate in any of the states going to polls. This despite the fact that the party had lost out in Bihar where it had not projected any candidate as possible CM. On the other hand, the party had gone ahead with declaring Sarbananda Sonowal as its CM candidate in Assam and the party had hit the bull’s eye in that state.
No stone unturned
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
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?
