TThe RSS cadres have worked tirelessly for the last few months with two specific mandates; one, to reach out to the people and inform them about the challenges that the country is facing and a need for a change; two, to encourage more and more people to use their franchise. It gives us immense satisfaction that there has been a remarkable success on both counts. People have voted for a good government and in the process the polling percentages too have gone up in different parts of the country.
With a sense of contentment we return to our core activity outside the political arena, of character-building and social service. We have complete trust and faith in the leadership of the BJP’s ability to take appropriate decisions in matters like the formation of the Cabinet and setting the agenda for the new government. The RSS doesn’t interfere in those matters.
‘Hope’ is how Narendra Modi summarised reasons behind the historic mandate people handed down to him. In an otherwise dismal environment Mr Modi and BJP succeeded in generating hope in all sections of our society. There is hope that the economy would improve, security would be strengthened and governance cleaned up of corruption and other evils.
This historic win has several other messages too. The BJP began its journey three decades ago with the slogan of United India, Strong India. The challenge was coming not just from the divisive politics of caste and religion, but also from a formidable section of the intelligentsia. It is the journey of that idea of India which has culminated in the historic victory of the BJP, in the process decimating the politics of caste, religion and vote-banks. Today that idea has become pan-Indian, encompassing all regions and all sections of society.
That is the central message of this election. And therein lies the future of India. The Party, which started its electoral journey 30 years ago, with just 2 seats in the Lok Sabha and which was largely written off by the secular intelligentsia as a fringe force, today is not just the single largest party but one with an absolute mandate securing 282 seats on its own.
Undoubtedly the credit goes to one man, Mr Narendra Modi. He emerged as the most popular leader of the masses in the history of Independent India. In Mr Modi and the BJP the people of this country have seen not only an alternative government to the disastrous one headed by Congress, but an alternative vision too. It is that vision which sets Mr Modi apart from the rest of the crowd. He has an economic vision that cares for the last man - the proverbial chaiwala.
It is this vision that has brought millions and millions of India’s poor to him, deserting their traditional caste-based parties. He views India as one, above the differences of caste, religion and region. ‘Justice for all and appeasement of none’, the traditional credo of BJP marks Mr Modi’sy social vision that seems to have attracted large sections of minorities as well to vote for him.
India needs a strong economy that caters to the last man by invoking the mantra of development and growth. It should strengthen the hands of the poor by facilitating more employment. It shouldn’t turn them into perpetual beggars surviving at the mercy of the government-offered doles.
For that our infrastructure — roads, power, water, digital connectivity, transport — has to improve quickly. India’s security — both external and internal — needs greater attention. We have to pay special attention to strengthening our border infrastructure. We need a government that treats all people as equals, doesn’t discriminate them on the basis of their religion or region.
No one, minority or majority, should feel discrimination or apprehension. All this is a tall order. It requires great leadership qualities like clarity of vision, courage of conviction, will power, selflessness and team spirit. In Modi people of India have seen all those qualities. With great hope and anticipation they have voted him to power.
(The author is a member of the national executive and also in-charge of the media and public relations of the RSS)
