The 'before' picture would show you an oversized individual, while the 'after' picture would feature the same person but with a perfect physique, thanks to whatever potion or gym was being advertised. Or, you could have an acne-scarred face magically transformed into a blemish-free one. No prizes for guessing what the messaging was all about.
It's a bit like that when it comes to reading the tea leaves regarding the economy in 2024.
There is a 'before' and an 'after' image, with one notable difference. While the 'before' (read: pre-election) picture of the economy is reasonably clear, there's no telling what the 'after', post-election picture would be like.
It depends on the election outcome. Consequently, any prediction regarding the state of the economy in 2024 must, inevitably, consist of two (almost neat) halves.
A clear 'before' picture, followed by a blurred one 'after'.
Let me start with the easy 'before' picture. The economy is on a roll, with growth in the first half of the fiscal year, ending March, clocking 7.7%, according to GDP data released in November 2023. 'A star performer accounting for more than 16% of global growth this year,' is how IMF describes India in its just-concluded Article 4 consultation report.
The problem is with the 'after' picture.
There's no knowing for sure. Both BJP and the Opposition will try to sell you a great 'after' picture. They will promise a vast improvement over the 'before' one, provided you vote for them.
What is the ordinary citizen to believe? And there's the problem again: there's no telling for sure.