One-upmanship is the name of the game in politics

livemint.com:

Ashwamedha. Another question emerges here. Will the BJP and its partners want to fight an election before the Ram temple is dedicated? Many critics do not believe it is impossible.

Reason? Almost all surveys place the Prime Minister’s popularity between 50 and 55%. Similarly, many foreign research organizations have named him one of the world’s most popular leaders. Take a peek at the numbers so far.

Every study has several meanings, and that’s why I value both arithmetic and the bonds with the voters. The BJP’s leaders believe that the upcoming G-20 summit will boost the Prime Minister’s image even further. The statistics for growth rates of the economy are also in their favour.

This is why, on Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi recently assured the nation that, in his third term, India will become the world’s third superpower. He is clear that he wishes to sail with the new hopes of the new India. If the concept of “One Country, One Election" can be enhanced by the introduction of a bill in Parliament, it can also be pushed as a step towards development and the reduction of wasteful spending.

Some Opposition parties have been backing this notion. Will this lead to a fracture in the INDIA camp? Even if it does not, the Opposition will still be forced to articulate new arguments. We’ll have to wait a fortnight to find out what happens at the next session of Parliament, but the game of politics has reached a new level of excitement.

Welcome to the realm of political speculation and twists in the tale. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.