The last decade points to the individualisation of decision making in India leading to huge problems. As can be expected, these go unmentioned in the manifesto – after all the manifesto is supposed to create a feel good factor in the nation. The end result of ‘Modi’s guarantee’ could be contrary to the promises.
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) manifesto titled “Modi ki Guarantee 2024” promises much. It implies a guarantee that soon all will be well because of Narendra Modi. It reflects a) the state of affairs in the BJP and b) its reading of people’s mood.
It implies that people have more faith in Modi than in the party. Does this reflect the failure of the party? Like in a presidential form of election, vote is sought in the name of a leader, Modi.
The contrast with the Congress manifesto, titled, `Nyay Patra’, promising justice to all, is stark. The BJP manifesto too promises justice. But, one depends on faith in an individual’s guarantee while the other seeks to deliver through strengthening society’s institutional setting. The instrumentality proposed by the two political parties is diametrically opposite.
