Who stands against PM Modi in 2019?

I am not repeating the TRP-driven slogan of some television channel, but rather pondering whether any coalition will be able to stand before the persona of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Far from matching his political stature, one sees no figure who even stands near it. Even so, the opposition is preparing an alliance to contest PM Modi. Rounds of meetings are underway. The opposition has prepared to enter the elections without a face, because they realise that the moment a claim is laid to the prime ministerial office, the clan will splinter. We have already seen and endured the labyrinth and tragedies of coalitions. The National Democratic Alliance is itself a coalition, but it is led by PM Modi, and BJP President Amit Shah is infusing zeal and vigour into the BJP through his strategic acumen.

There is a very intriguing tale in the Panchatantra. Once, torrential rains fell and a flood ensued—much like the floods being witnessed across several states today. A deluge in which rivers, fields, and threshing floors were all submerged. A forest was nearly drowned as well. A solitary, massive banyan tree survived; everything else was submerged. That tree remained the sole refuge of the forest. In panic, all the animals gathered there. A lion, a cheetah, a goat, a wild boar, a dog, a wolf, a rabbit, a snake, a frog, and a scorpion all arrived. All climbed onto the tree.

A snake and a frog sat on the very same branch, yet the frog had no fear of the serpent attacking it. Everyone's conduct was utterly unnatural. The lion was no longer the king of the forest; the cheetah was quiet. Two days later, nature showed some mercy. Faint sunlight broke through. The water levels receded. The moment the crisis ended, the frog was the first to leap. The serpent darted after it. The cheetah struck the goat with its paw; the cat bolted so swiftly that the dog was left gaping. Whenever a crisis strikes, all gather upon a single tree. We have witnessed this before. In the same manner, the opposition parties are coalescing in the face of the Narendra Modi deluge; but who is the banyan tree? Rahul Gandhi is certainly not a banyan tree as yet—so then, is it Mayawati or Mamata? Deciding this is the opposition's task, yet no charismatic leader is in sight who can neutralise Narendra Modi’s image. The opposition alliance must have realised by now: ‘When you set out to paint your own portrait, you will realise how arduous it is to give yourself a face.’

The opposition's overtures of love signify only one thing: to seize power by any means possible. Each has their own regional priorities, their own beliefs; every individual wears ten or twenty masks. One can discern neither joy nor grief. Just how genuine or theatrical was the solidarity among opposition leaders seen on a single stage at the swearing-in ceremony of Janata Dal (S) leader Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister in Karnataka—this will be judged by the people of the country. The greatest tragedy of coalitions is that they have nothing to do with morality. If you emerge victorious and can play a role in reaching the magic number, then consider yourself exceedingly valuable—in the thousands, in the crores. In an election year, the coalition maneuvering will continue. Two leaders from South India, Chandrashekhar Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, have been speaking of a Third Front; their stance remains to be seen. The exercise of opposition unity began with the results of the Karnataka assembly elections and bye-elections in other parts of the country. It remains to be seen what shape a faceless coalition will take. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born into a family with a political dynasty; he has become great through his own deeds. Who could have known that a boy who spent his childhood in narrow alleyways, selling tea, would rise to such heights that the entire world would look upon him in rapt attention?

Not only in the country, but abroad as well, the Indian diaspora has received him with the highest reverence. However much venom the opposition parties may spew, PM Modi is touching new heights on the strength of his sacrifice and industriousness. After independence, the country has found a Prime Minister who has worked with integrity and offered the nation fresh visions. Demonetisation, the implementation of GST, the Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan accounts, Digital India, and amending laws to crack down on benami (proxy) property and benami transactions are among the government’s numerous initiatives whose benefits have reached the citizens of the nation. The people accepted even the stern decisions of PM Modi, and BJP governments were formed in state after state. Through his diplomatic prowess, the Prime Minister not only deepened ties with a superpower like the United States, but also spoke with a nation like China eye to eye rather than looking down. He delivered a fitting response to China’s strategy of encircling India. By resolving to carry out surgical strikes against Pakistan, he demonstrated his resolute willpower, while granting the security forces a free hand to deal with terrorism in Kashmir. Recently, a report published in the New York Times stated that India has broken the back of terrorism in Kashmir. It is not that PM Modi faces no challenges.

In a country as vast as this, surmounting challenges is no simple matter. Overcoming economic and social disparities is not easy. On one hand lies the challenge of building infrastructure, while on the other lie social contradictions. Amidst all these challenges, the policies of the Modi government have brought about considerable change in the country. The construction of highways and projects aimed at self-reliance in defence are bearing fruit. Working day and night for the nation, Narendra Modi has come to be counted among the foremost global leaders. This has elevated India's prestige. Who will contend with such a personality in the 2019 elections?

– Manish Prakash, The author is a political analyst who writes on issues of national importance.

Also Read,

How to Avail Benefits of the Modi Government's Mudra Yojana?

Rahul Gandhi Should Not Make the Mistake of Taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Manmohan Singh