How UP was conquered: BJP victory validates electoral mobilisation based on emotional appeals, patriotism | The Indian Express

How UP was conquered: BJP victory validates electoral mobilisation based on emotional appeals, patriotism | The Indian Express

Written by Gilles Verniers |Updated: May 25, 2019 7:31:27 am

The author is assistant professor of political science, Ashoka University

How UP was conquered: BJP victory validates electoral mobilisation based on emotional appeals, patriotism

Flagship schemes and Modi’s personality did play their role, certainly. But the delinking of economic realities and political performance raises the thought that there is more to it than government performance and individual leadership.

Celebrations at Bharatiya Janta Party state head office in Lucknow. (Express photo: Vishal Srivastav)

Contrary to nearly all expectations, the BJP has succeeded in retaining Uttar Pradesh, the key to holding its majority at the Centre. The Mahagathbandhan, poised to challenge the BJP on the basis of a formidable caste arithmetic, has failed to deliver. The BJP has won 77 per cent of the seats (62), against a measly 19 per cent for the alliance (15). The Congress, in yet another humiliating defeat in the heart of the Hindi belt, has lost one of the two seats it managed to salvage five years ago.