analysis Asia
India begins voting in gigantic election as Modi seeks historic third term
Hindu nationalism is not an issue in this election, "because even the Hindus are affected by a lack of jobs", he said.
Hindu nationalism is not an issue in this election, "because even the Hindus are affected by a lack of jobs", he said.
Former US President Donald Trump (left) and US President Joe Biden. (File Photos: Reuters/David Dee Delgado, Shannon Stapleton)
Surveys suggest BJP will easily win a majority even though voters have serious concerns about unemployment, inflation and rural distress in the world's fastest growing major economy, with the spotlight being on whether BJP can improve on its 2019 victory and by how much.
"In the next five years, we will take our nation into the top three economies of the world, launch a final and decisive assault against poverty, open up newer avenues of growth ... unveil the next generation of reforms, and take a number of pro-people decisions and actions," Modi wrote in the BJP’s election manifesto.
everyone smile in same language
f he wins, Modi will be
only the second Indian prime minister to be elected three times in a row, after post-independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru.
Modi says that his first two terms were appetisers and
the main course will be served in the third term.
BJP hoardings across towns and cities highlight a range of achievements in his two terms, including India's historic landing on the moon’s south pole and fighting corruption to woo voters.
Hindu nationalism is a key theme. Modi's government and BJP are accused by critics of discriminating against or targeting India's 200 million minority Muslims to please their hardline Hindu base - charges both deny. Sporadic violence between Hindus and Muslims continues to break out.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, said the BJP always seeks to divert attention from major issues such as unemployment and price rise.
"Sometimes the PM goes underwater in the ocean and sometimes he is on a seaplane but does not talk about issues," Gandhi said, referring to Modi’s widely publicised engagements in recent months.
While the alliance has struggled to forge unity and field common candidates against the BJP, it has accused the government of denying it a level playing field by arresting opposition leaders in corruption cases and making huge tax demands ahead of the vote - charges the government denies.
Chandrachur Singh, who teaches politics at Delhi's Hindu College, said the BJP has a clear edge but also faces real challenges.
"It's not an election where there are no issues," he said. "There are issues which could have led to anti-incumbency. But that is something which is not being channelised or harnessed by a fragmented, divided, weak opposition."
"That is what is causing some kind of disillusionment among voters and allowing BJP to surge ahead."
