Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Faith in Democracy Restored

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Faith in Democracy Restored

KAKALI DAS

The biggest festival of democracy is finally over, with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) securing majority seats over the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

What was once perceived a one-sided affair has transformed into a fierce battle akin to a showdown of equals, as the INDIA bloc gave a tough fight to the NDA, despite the BJP-led alliance surpassing the crucial majority mark of 272.

The most significant development of the day is the validation of the electoral system in this country. Despite initial doubts and conspiracy theories regarding EVM rigging, the system has demonstrated its integrity.

Furthermore, today’s election results show the resilience of democracy, showcasing that even the most powerful can be held to account by the will of the people.

Consider the nature of the election process we’ve witnessed: one party had extensive resources while the other had its bank accounts frozen. One party, the BJP, effectively turned the entire mainstream media into its spokespersons, preventing the public from learning the truth about issues like electoral bonds.

The BJP also controlled the entire establishment, including the bureaucracy, police, ED, IT, and, regrettably, the Election Commission of India, all of which appeared to function as extensions of the party.

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In such a scenario, if a party with overwhelming power and control over various aspects of governance ends up with minimal seats, it can only be interpreted as a resounding mandate against the ruling party and its leader, the Prime Minister. This outcome signifies a triumph for democracy, reaffirming that the constitution cannot be manipulated and that the electorate cannot be taken for granted.

It instils hope that regardless of who assumes the role of Prime Minister, democracy will flourish in this nation. There’s an expectation for the media to operate with greater independence, the judiciary to uphold the principles of the law, if not its spirit entirely, and for institutions to align more closely with the constitution. This, to me, is the true success of today’s election.

One intriguing development from this election is the BJP’s loss in Ayodhya, symbolising a poignant irony in the party’s fate. It reflects a sense of poetic justice, suggesting that in some way, justice has been served.

Equally significant today is the defeat of Mr. Ajay Mishra Teni, who symbolized a rule of terror, arrogance, and the regime’s complete lack of accountability. His loss is a moment of vindication for many farmers.

Moreover, the defeat of Prajwal Revanna, who was accused of assaulting over 400 women, feels like a personal victory. Women voters have demonstrated their power and influence in this election. Indeed, there is a sense of poetic justice in the outcomes we have witnessed.

Also, the exit polls conducted for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections have proven to be one of the biggest blunders in electoral history. There should be strict accountability for the numbers published during exit polls.

Transparency is imperative; globally, opinion polls are expected to adhere to transparency standards. Editors across the country could collectively commit to only publishing opinion polls that disclose crucial details such as sample size, sampling technique, methodology for conversion, and the demographic profile of the sample including gender, rural-urban distribution, and social composition.

Additionally, full disclosure is essential; any pollster with financial interests, particularly involving political parties, must transparently disclose such affiliations.

These disclosure and conflict of interest norms are universal standards. Why are they not followed in India? There is an urgent need for institutional oversight and the professionalization of opinion polls to ensure their credibility and reliability.

Professional accountability is also urgently required from the mainstream, or rather, corporate media. Throughout the course of these elections, they effectively served as campaign instruments for the BJP. Let’s be clear and straightforward: they have buried critical stories, attacked the opposition, and acted on behalf of those in power. There needs to be accountability for the media’s behaviour during this period.

The conduct of Indian media over the last decade can be considered one of its darkest chapters. There was a time when journalists were respected, but today the profession is often seen as corrupt. Although honest media outlets are scarce, there is no shortage of honest journalists. Sadly, many now feel uncomfortable identifying as journalists due to the profession’s tarnished reputation. This is the state to which journalism has been reduced.

Thus, accountability is paramount, along with the implementation of professional transparency standards. There should be a ban on cross-media ownership and full disclosure of conflicts of interest, including media owners’ involvement in non-media ventures. It’s essential to publicize who benefits from government affiliations and which entities receive government advertisements. Transparency in these matters is crucial for maintaining journalistic integrity and public trust.

There’s still a long journey ahead, but we can initiate some small steps towards progress. Perhaps today isn’t a bad day to start contemplating those changes.

From what I gather, a significant amount of power rests in the hands of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, who collectively hold around 30 seats and serve as key pillars in any coalition government the BJP may form. The question arises: will they remain with the NDA? If so, can we anticipate a different iteration of the BJP? Perhaps one that necessitates a more collaborative approach with its allies than what we’ve witnessed thus far?

While Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘affection’ for Narendra Modi is well-known, it’s no secret that Modi once jailed Naidu. Such experiences tend to leave a lasting impression. Additionally, Mr. Nitish Kumar’s reputation for switching sides is widely recognized.

However, let’s entertain the scenario: if the NDA were to secure significantly fewer seats than they currently hold, would the BJP struggle to gather enough numbers? It’s hard to ignore the possibility of private jets shuttling between cities, possibly carrying bags laden with cash to secure alliances. These scenarios seem inevitable.

Indeed, governments are often stitched together through various means. Those willing to go to great lengths to secure a mayoral position in a small city like Chandigarh are likely to employ similar tactics to clinch the Prime Ministership of the nation. It’s certain that such political games will unfold in due course.

The outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections serves as a resounding rejection of divisive rhetoric targeting Muslims, Mangalsutra, Mutton, and notions of infiltration. It’s a clear message from society against the politics of discrimination based on attire, dietary choices, and fabricated concepts like love jihad, vote jihad, and land jihad.

Despite the Prime Minister’s efforts to exploit polarization tactics during the election campaign, they had minimal impact. People heard the distorted narrative of Modi, but disregarded it ultimately. Thankfully, polarization techniques failed to sway the electorate, and society has spoken against such divisive tactics.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the RSS and BJP remain active, and their tricks and strategies are very much around the corner.

Today’s victory has merely provided us with a starting point for the ongoing battle ahead. The struggle is far from over; it has to be fought on the political, ideological, and cultural fronts. We haven’t emerged victorious; rather, we’ve gained the privilege to resist and continue fighting back.

04-06-2024

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