Finally the war started. Both armies are ready. One has 26 Parties and the other has 38 Parties. One is called INDIA and the other is called NDA. One is headed by the collective leader and the other by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India claims it wants to regain its lost democracy and constitutionalism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which heads the NDA, denounced the rebels as corrupt monarchists, opportunists, and others, and opened a barrage of fire. One thing is certain in this war of words: the battle in 2024 will no longer be one-sided, and Modi will not be able to claim victory as he has in the last two elections.
Even in the left-liberal circles, there were some skeptics unsure that opposition leaders would come together under one roof amid clashes of egos, differing ideologies and political opportunism. But the smoothness with which they banded together to form “INDIA,” an acronym for a new political force to attack Modi head-on, surprised many. Faced with political inequalities a few months ago, even anti-Modi leaders were unsure that such an alliance would work. There was a sense of despair and hopelessness, despite the common understanding that Prime Minister Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party cannot be defeated unless they work together.
It would have been a great surprise if the opposition had not united. Perhaps the rulers did not expect this to happen so smoothly and so quickly. The prime minister’s two speeches on the day the opposition met to show their solidarity are evidence that he is upset or even surprised. The prime minister is a good speaker. Although he does not cut his words when attacking his opponents, his manner of speech, his choice of words to attack his opponents, and his body language betrayed the tension of the ruling camp. The Indian Bharatiya Janata Party should realize, more than any other party, that every time an opposition unites, no matter how divided or weak, it hurts the ruling party. Examples of this can be found in his 1967, 1977 and 1989. This was a period when the Parliament functioned like a giant in Indian politics. The opposition was too small to stand up to parliament, but together they wreaked havoc.
Some would argue that 2024 will be different. But such discussions were also held by Congress in 1967, 1977 and 1989, and we all know how it ended. Despite all perceptions, today’s opposition is stronger than ever. Opposition parties now form governments in 11 states, but never before.
