The exit poll numbers are unbelievable. There’s no reason to suggest the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance should lose a single of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.
It is likely that 23 May will prove the exit polls wrong — after all, they have mostly been wrong over the years. In 2014, they suggested the NDA was coming to power but could not foresee the BJP winning a majority on its own. The pattern may well be repeated.
The modest exit polls foresee the NDA winning anywhere between 277 and 352 seats. As for the BJP itself, the range is between 227 and 291 seats. Only two exit polls have suggested that the BJP could win more than its 2014 tally of 282 seats.
Why should the BJP or its allies lose a single seat? The way things are, they should be winning every single seat in India.
Also read: Exit polls make it clear SP-BSP alliance has failed to smash BJP: Yogendra Yadav
The Congress party announced in advance that it was only seeking to triple its 2014 numbers, from 44 to 132, which won’t even be half of the majority mark, which is 272. The party’s data analyst, Praveen Chakravarty said this, and then Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath repeated it. If the BJP’s main opponent publicly says it is not even trying to win enough seats necessary to lead a coalition government, why should the BJP and its allies lose a single seat?
Narendra Modi has been gifted the poorest opposition possible. It can’t come together and form coalitions even when it can see it is going to get wiped out. It can’t come up with an election promise that would be believed and bought by the people. It can’t do a campaign on what everyone knew was the greatest issue before the people – unemployment. Worst of all, the opposition is so poor it doesn’t have one leader who looks prime ministerial, whom the people of India would want to see as their PM.
The opposition didn’t even try to win this election. In 2014, there was at least an Aam Aadmi Arvind Kejriwal fighting in Varanasi. This time, the opposition couldn’t even put up a star candidate against Modi in Varanasi. Modi didn’t even go to Varanasi after filing his nomination papers. The Congress suggested it is not up for the fighting after Priyanka Gandhi said she was considering it. The Samajwadi Party didn’t even put up their half-strong local candidate. The walkover in Varanasi is symbolic of the walkover Modi got this election across India.
It is strange, then, that even the most optimistic exit poll (Axis MyIndia) sees the NDA losing 177 of 542 seats. What’s wrong with the people in these 177 constituencies? How could they want Rahul Gandhi as PM? Or do they want an unstable coalition that makes India weak, a government that can’t take strong decisions like demonetising 86 per cent of the currency overnight on a whim?
Also read: PM Modi is so confident of victory that he’s already scheduled Mann Ki Baat 2.0
To be fair to opposition leaders, some say it’s not all their fault. Modi is the master of propaganda, they say. Agreed. Switch on the TV and you will only see NaMo and then there’s a NaMo TV to switch to when the ‘news’ channels are showing ads. On WhatsApp and newspapers, on outdoor media and train tickets, Modi is everywhere.
This complete and total bombardment of the Indian mind with the visage of Narendra Damodardas Modi makes sure people think there is no one but Modi. In a country of 1.3 billion people, aur hai kaun? Wonder how the trains ever ran, how the wars were ever fought, how the roads were ever built before Modi became prime minister. That is how Modi propaganda makes people think. Which is why one wonders, why should Modi be losing a single seat?
On those approximately 177 seats that the Axis MyIndia exit poll found the NDA losing, one wonders if the opposition had a lot of money. After all, Modi has outmatched the opposition in resources several times over. Most of the opaque electoral bonds’ money goes to the BJP, which was the party with the deepest coffers even before electoral bonds. We are not suggesting the Yeddyurappa diaries have any truth in them and black money could be flowing in the BJP election campaigns. Meanwhile, the opposition finds itself facing tax raids before elections, their small change taken away. It is bizarre that such a financially weak opposition should be winning even a single seat.
The Election Commission has been so openly partisan, so afraid to censure Prime Minister Modi, that it appears there are two different model codes of conduct – one for the top BJP leaders, and the other for the rest of the politicians. With the EC being so kind to Modi, he knows he can get away with anything. And he does. Which is why one wonders why Modi should not win all 542 seats. If the umpire looks away when you cheat, why should you lose a single wicket?
Also read: Modi’s second term needs to be bolder than his first
Doubt is human nature. Sometimes people wonder if Narendra Modi is really the best deal for them. They wonder if they should try another leader, if there’s one. Could it be that Rahul Gandhi is not as bad? Usually, the opposition will do something stupid, like Rahul Gandhi running away for a Europe vacation, just when people are beginning to have doubts about Modi. No problem, there’s fake news for the doubtful Modi supporter. Just feed them fiction and they’ll say Rahul Gandhi thinks potatoes can be turned into gold. Feed them fiction and they’ll think demonetisation was a great success.
Which is why one wonders how the BJP is losing a single seat. Surely, the exit polls are playing it safe.
It is human nature to see some people as their own and some as enemies. The BJP has played on this forever. As Amit Shah threatened to implement the NRC across India, he stoked the fear of, basically, expelling millions of Muslims. By making Hindus see Muslims as their enemies, the BJP tries to make people forget caste and economy, regional aspirations and anti-incumbency. Which is why one wonders why the exit polls are so modest. In a country with 79 per cent Hindus, how could the BJP lose any seat? Given that Hindutva majoritarianism has become so mainstream that a Godse-loving terror accused can be given a ticket, why do we still have any Hindu not voting for the BJP?
The exit polls cannot be believed. The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance must be all set to win 542 of 542 seats, a first in Indian history. Anything less than 542 will be a defeat for Modi.
As for that cancelled poll in Vellore, it was cancelled because too much money was flowing into the seat. When it is held again, surely money won’t be a problem for the NDA.
A very poorly drafted sarcasm. In the first place did the opposition sincerely attempt to defeat Modi?
Since, it is going to be a public mandate please learn to respect it. After all, did opposition have any worthwhile agenda?
Do u know where did naamdars go wrong? They misread that we are still in 2004 and not 2019. Repeatedly saying Chowkidar chor hai was the biggest lie which proved counter productive.
After Priyanka Vadra was launched some people thought she will change the scenario but when she made children chant chowkidar chor hai people lost interest.
India of 2019 will not welcome Ravish Kumar style of reporting where world is projected to be only dark whereas, there are brighter thing as well.
Last 5 years have seen a lot of development but if still some people with vested interests do not want to see it is their choice. Nitin Gadkari’s Ministry has completed a large no of infra projects which were lying stalled for various reasons during UPA regime. You may not have observed but a common Indian is very observant and can see.
Kaha ka maal phookte ho yaar mujhe bhi chahiye ye high
Did he get paid for writing this?
its not a question of “did he”.. its only a question of “how much”!
You know why opposition is in bad shape, it is because of people like you. Average Hindu has no problem with Muslims, people like you make fun of festivals and everything which represents Indian culture. Thats the even average Hindu is moving towards BJP. What is the logic behind saying after NCR is against Muslims? If government brings population control bill, you guys will be the first to oppose and will relate to Muslims. Wake up and smell the coffee, this is digital era, you can’t make people fool.
u have a way to negate anything.
Burnol please?
Although completely stupid analysis, at least he has the guts to put his name on the article. All other pseudo journos on ‘the print’ are ashamed to put their names on their own articles. Perhaps they let Rahul write the articles himself 🙂
Dude, you are really sick. Not for one moment you felt that your countrymen n women have a view and a mind of their own. Your article reeks of a sense of entitlement and belittles the wisdom of your own brethren
Looks like the author is in deep shock. Time to see a psychiatrist.
I think the author is missing a brain, going by his profound admiration for Rahul Gandhi. Burnol lagale….
Nice going Shivam, to write so eloquently at your age is commendable. I don’t know any 8 years old who can write like this. Don’t worry about the logic and content, it will come as you grow up.
Haha haha haha
The best Rudali experienced only on exit polls, wonder what kind of performance I can expect on actual result day breaking of churiya perhaps.
Shameless #LutyensParasites #KhanMarketGang Love the way you fellows are convulsing . Who is your editor Must be some dementted stooge of Demented Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi
Sour grapes!
The anti Modi is so strong that he does not care how moronic the alternative, or how disastrous they could be.
An excellent writing talent, a viciously biased narrative
Mr. Shivm
Why don’t you write the same ahead of exit poll published.
Have the guts to face defeat also. Don’t cry my boy. Prepare for the next. Further, don’t forget exit poll is exact result.
Oh shri vij, please don’t cry so much. We all know that you are a very intelligent man and the people of Bharat should have taken your advice and voted for Shri Gandhi and other such comedians.
But please do not think that the people of India are stupid. They know what Modi and the BJP has done for them. You will also know once you decide to step out of your drawing room and see the real India. Modi and others have also shown that an ordinary man without with a family legacy or dynasty can reach the top of this great country. But durbari’s like you, get awed by the name Gandhi and blindly follow. Put your hand on your heart and tell us if you think Rahul Gandhi is qualified to run anything, forget even Bharat. Even my my domestic help thinks he is an idiot and I am sure you know what we call people who follow idiots
Good retort to biased characters who just are not ready to say that Modi has done so much good work and opposition are fraudsters if corruption,appeasement etc but it will not be Print if they admit truth ..Good that modern India is not stupid for Print.Wire,Caracvan etc to get away with shit
First thing to say” Did u use burnol? ” Use it on daily basis. Good for your mental stress.
Secondly, we want to know, who the hell allowed you to do shit of such a cheap level?
If you need some help in journalistic writing do mail me but don’t create such shit.
How much BJP pays you form writing these propaganda notes in favor of Modi? Five years is a long time to know what Modi is all about and Modi now stands thoroughly exposed.
Apparently bizarre but an appealing analysis
The meltdown is epic. If one were not woke one would compare it to two non cissexual individuals fighting.
Please ask this author to respect the mandate . There are lot of people in india more educated than the author , understand what’s good for them and vote . Sorry to say but it’s a pathetic article
Where is the mandate? We are yet to count, is it not? Do some of us know more than others?
Also tou had mamata who said she will slap modi and up team of akhilesh and mayavathi, naidu, kejriwal, Stalin all of them are stars. How they lost?
Neighbours envy owners pride.
The writer appears to be supporter and sympathisers of corrupt opposition and BJP and NAMO hater or baiter perhapse.
SHEER NONSENSE…! This IS ALSO ONE reason that the Opposition is failing to face BJP OR MODI…!
Misinforming press, Deviating and Characterless Leaders, and truly CASTE BASED politics who are “basically against caste and religion “….forming alliances etc., are the reason…!
Cheap CHARACTERLESS “ leaders “ attacking NAMO and trying to DISMANTLE a his image of Mr.Clean has back fired…!!
Even now if you don’t accept the truth… the present opposition will never make it for decades…!
Just 1 one word. जली ?
Be it anti-BJP or whatever, this person really thinks Rahul Gandhi is a good leader. ?
This is the judgemental power of today’s journalists. ?
You are disgusting and don’t want digest people mandate.any one can win 542 out of 542 what’s you shit logic Shankar gupta
Before bjp came to power, upa was in power for ten years. You mean to say they also had spent money in 2014? Sonia is one of the richest politicians don’t you know? Why do you cry like this? You had rahul priyanka wearing tilak and running around temples.you sunt find problem there.
Why blame Modi?.When every opposition guy wants his finger dipped deep in the Pie.
Lovely analysis!! Slow Claps!! I also wondered how the UPA was able to not win the remaining 500 seats in 2014. They should have won it according to their zero-sum (loss) theory
Dear Shivam, all these rants appear more of sour grapes than substance. What stopped Congress from doing the same? They ruled for 60 years and if they made money for the party instead of adding to the coffers of one family, same could’ve been utilised to run over BJP even last time. Instead they were maligning his name so much that they even sought help from US, Pak to stop his juggernaut. Why don’t you talk about the murder of democracy in WB, rampant corruption in Karnataka or unreasonable demands of CBN? Congress lost power in Karnataka but went to a ridiculous extent to stop BJP. You should also talk about the award wapsee gang, chameleon artists who don’t speak against Muslim atrocities but find their voice only when someone retaliates against Muslims. You should also talk about the amount of bandwidth given to all these kichdi parties who gain some prominence only by bad mouthing Modi. The opposition parties and the so-called secular media in this country is a bunch of jokers who have only one goal to strive for, that’s to loot the country in whatever way possible. If Modi had allowed it, they would not have bad mouthed him so much.
Whether a defeat can be overcome depends on the attitude of the loser. Reading this attempted sarcasm assures me that finally Modi has struck the final nail in the coffin of leftist communist intellectual. Its almost certain that you have lost, and certain that you wont revive. Those that swear by ideology do not cry over evm, election commission. They introspect, strategise & plan ahead with renewed vigor. Thank you for assuring me that your courage & most importantly your imported ideology is dead. Thanks.
Only you and only you could have come up with this shit.
The only commentary on the exit poll which makes sense.
The Modi Shah combine has not left the opposition legs to stand on. Electoral bonds ensure money flows one way while IT raids squeeze the tap for opposition while also helping BJP acquire key leaders from the opposition. Ofcourse once in BJP their legal troubles disappear.
Almost complete control over media allows the party to control the news cycle. Meanwhile their extremely well funded IT cell is flooding WhatsApp memes. Folks chuckle at the supposed jokes and forward them to their groups without stopping to wonder who is funding all these forwards which are always about opposition figures. And these are not just kids memes, but instead seem to be written by folks with strong background in advertising and behavioral sciences. The latest I saw was on one of supposed albatross for the current govt – Unemployment. But the meme instead turned it upside down by referring to opposition PM hopefuls!
If the Modi govt comes back again, they will be there for next 50 years as Shah already claimed.
yep! unfortunately you are right 🙁
One point you and Shivam make which makes no sense: How does BJP and Modi have total control over the media when, as we can see from almost every opinion / editorial article in the last 1 year, majority of journalists are in fact against them?
Atleast you do accept the other points then. Coming to your comment – the right place to start is what’s the expected role of the media? It necessarily has to have a critical eye on those wielding power at a given time, and to allow alternate voices to reach the public. To inform the ruled what the rulers may not be doing well. Otherwise it’s not media, it’s a friend circle.
It’s become a cliche to accuse journalists critical of Modi govt today to be Congis. But if one tries to dig up their old videos and news coverage say for UPA2, you might be surprised to see these same supposed Congis sharing criticism of that govt on matters we all know well by now. And that’s how it should be.
And today, you just need to find out all the interviews of our PM or Amit Shah on you tube and make a list of kind of questions asked to them, to get a sense of where most of the media stands today. And then feel free to dig up old interview videos or articles of Shri Manmohan Singh or even Shri Vajpayee to see the difference.
It looks more like spilling of bile than humour. Before you label me as Bhakht, let me clarify that I’m all for a meaningful opposition. I would love to have an alternative but NOTA is currently my best choice. All the attempts by media like yours is only helping Modi. You’re as bad as those whom you blame as pro Modi. Opposing for opposition sake is not the role of media. Wish we get neutral media, who help in educating public on the rights and wrongs, instead of pushing their biased agenda
Someone is sore that BJP will win. I can send you burnol for free.
Isn’t your a brazenly arrogant website? Congress has lived by scraps in it’s entire 70 years of it’s existence by making alliances or forcing an emergency. Despite so many negative comments by left and congress leaning 5 star activists the man of the moment has been brave enough to withstand it all and take it on his chin. Don’t discredit the Indian voter and think that they are fools to believe your rubbish logic. You get paid by Congress and it’s evident from all your articles. Do real journalism.
Sour grapes, Vij. Get Burnol.
Poor attempt at sarcasm. You urgently need some burnol my friend.
OMG! Frustration and Distress at its best! Don’t be so, let people have freedom of expression through votes and let’s celebrate the results with a pinch of salt. Opposition tried its best through alliance, mocking Modi, false propaganda against Modi etc. Additionally opposition got great support from intellectuals, free thinkers and liberals over a year ( after RG’s US visit) constantly painting Modi bad. If Modi still wins, let’s wait till 2024…Modi won’t run for 2024, so let’s keep the hope their.
Totally frustrated Khan Market gang member who is on the verge of breaking down!! Calm down Shivam, 5 or 10 years is a miniscule time period for a country. Just shout ‘Alls well’ and take a deep breath.
To be fair, most regional parties rose to the challenge, gave a good account of themselves. The deepest introspection is required in the Congress. While the results are exceptionally good for the incumbent, it too faces a fork in the road. Do the results validate the last five years completely, suggest Indians are thrilled to bits with what was delivered, or should this be regarded as a God sent opportunity to now do all the exceptional things that were promised in 2014. It should start with a deep cull in the Cabinet.
The writer has gone completely bonkers. And just as well.
Shekhar Gupta, please don’t promote SHIVAM VIJ type authors on ThePrint. Such authors will surely degrade the quality of posts and may even affect readership. I don’t feel to comment on this article.
A disappointing article. Exit polls try to give a massage. If you don’t like it, don’t shoot the messenger. No one is forcing you believe it. In any case, if the message is wrong, this is bound to be proved so on 23rd May. So why lose your patience and write a long and meaningless article? This means that somewhere in your heart of the heart you suspect that this could be the truth and that is the reason you are so disturbed, Mr. Shivam Vij.
Thank you Mr. Vij for being a sane voice when most media seems all set for harder feet-licking.
Are you really even interested to be a journalist worth his salt? What kind of a cynical, brainwashed idiot you are trying to become?
Here comes the ranting of a frustrated person lacking all sense and humility!
Tried reading through this article but halfway through gave up,..usual rants ..twist logic on its head and belittle achievement of bjp and the intelligence of the voting public ..meltdown will continue over next few days and our oped writers will come out with amazingly creative analysis like – 1) south should have separate Pm 2) Modi has only 45% vote share if he so popular why not 100% so there is discontent and disillusionment 3) JDU going to leave NDA 4) south is pro socialist and plural in thought process and is future of democracy ( not withstanding bjp dominating in ktka and voteshare of 24-25% in Kerala expected .)
5) idea of India is gone ..polarised vaporised ,pulverised or similar sounding adjectives.
6) people may have given Modi the vote but that doesn’t mean that what he is doing is right ..we know what is right
7) next erdogan has risen , now it’s going to be complete annihilation of the minorities ..
8) election process , EVM and all institutions are a sham nothing is worth it
9) Rahul ran a spirited campaign we should support him more as with his limited resources (both monetary and mental resources ) he has done his best , he is rising like the Phoenix
Gosh …I ran out of ideas but I’m sure our oped specialists a.k.a The Avengers / democracy’s last hope will save us from Thanos evil Modi
Even a congressi will disagree with you sir on this article!
Nonsense
I pity this writer. He is suffering from Modi derangement syndrome.