Can the BJP Hold on to Power? Narendra Modi’s chances of returning to power in 2019 fall as a major poll predicts a hung parliament. The anger of the citizens manifested in their voting the BJP out in the recent state elections held in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, a BJP bastion. India’s Grand Old Party, the Congress, won the elections, largely due to the negative vote cast against the BJP.

One could argue that polls are only indicative and do not reflect the reality of voting, but we have seen in the past that pre-polls and exit polls have been largely accurate in predicting the trend.

One beneficiary of Modi’s declining influence has been Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. A person who was almost written off a few months back has now risen like a phoenix from ashes, after his party’s spectacular performance in the three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. However, it is doubtful whether some of the leaders of the opposition parties would accept him as the prime minister. There are rumors floating that many of these parties may decide to ally with the BJP on the condition that they replace Modi with a more acceptable leader.

Unfortunately, even with all the failings of Narendra Modi, there is not a single leader who can match his charismatic leadership backed by an unsullied reputation. Most of the leaders in position to replace Modi lack the vision to take India forward.

Politics in India has a strange way of throwing up surprises. Voters may yet have a change of heart and decide to give Modi another opportunity to fulfill the promises he made before the 2014 election.

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K.S. Venkatachalam, The Diplomat, February 1 2019