BJP campaign see-sawed, but one thing remained constant: Modi’s popularity

On the last day of his marathon campaign for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exuding confidence about his third consecutive term in office, went to India’s southernmost tip, Kanyakumari, for his 45-hour-long meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. His popularity continues to be high, with credibility remaining virtually intact. Although voters were largely unenthused about the election, which was attributed to a general mood in favour of status quo, they did not appear to be cross with the PM.

His main rival Rahul Gandhi — who managed to set a narrative against various odds, forcing the formidable BJP to react – exhorted Congress workers at the end of his long, spirited campaign to be optimistic about the poll outcome. “I want to say with confidence to the brave lion workers of Congress that the INDIA alliance government is going to be formed,” he claimed.

Rahul may not have delivered many electoral wins for his party but his supporters and associates have maintained that he is their only “bulwark” against PM Modi, arguing that a victory of the Opposition would be crucial for the country’s democracy.

The BJP started its campaign on a high note, but soon saw the wobbly INDIA bloc showing surprising signs of resilience amid a buzz about an “undercurrent” against the incumbent regime.

Whether Modi would succeed in his “400 paar mission” or if such a perceived “undercurrent” had some impact on polling will be known on Tuesday, when the counting of votes will take place. All major exit polls projected a resounding victory for the BJP-led NDA, predicting that the BJP itself would better its 2019 tally of 303 seats. The projections by some of them like India-Today-My Axis and Today’s Chanakya