Two showers, varied in nature, had different impacts on the Karnataka electorate. The Congress campaign played up videos of Rahul Gandhi braving a heavy downpour during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Mysuru. Whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a shower of marigold petals, supplied by party workers, by citizens during his long road shows in Bengaluru and other cities. It was aired on news channels and amplified on social media. The results were in favour of the rain-spattered Congress—a reminder of how a mufflered Arvind Kejriwal had got the better of Modi in a monogrammed suit eight years ago.
The images were external symbols in an election where the BJP high command took total control of a state assembly election, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in charge of strategy. He held sessions not only in Delhi and Bengaluru, but also in districts. The other high functionary was B.L. Santhosh, general secretary (organisation), who earlier held the same position in the Karnataka BJP. Plus, Modi made multiple official forays. After the loss, there were attempts to lay the blame at Santhosh’s door. Similarly, BJP national president J.P. Nadda could not halt the slide in his home state of Himachal Pradesh. The local leadership was underwhelmed.
This story is from the May 28, 2023 edition of THE WEEK India.
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 May 28, 2023 edition of THE WEEK India.
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