“Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukan’ (Shop of Love) looks like an adaptation of America’s awakened culture. Photo Credit: PTI
dOnald Trump’s return to the White House is an important lesson not only for Democrats, but for political actors everywhere trying to contain the fast-growing central politics and powerful demagogues.
Trump won both the election college vote and the popularity vote. This emphasizes that the fears of democratic defenders over the erosion of constitutional order are not even people’s anxiety or preconceived notions. People have no dislike for authoritarian aspirations when they are seduced by stories that promise a better future and protection of interests.
Two countries, two campaigns
There was reason to hope as Trump strengthened his commitment to revive manufacturing jobs. In his claim to reduce US interventionists and focus on fixing domestic issues such as “porous boundaries,” he said it led to “injecting by criminals” absorbing employment opportunities.
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris highlighted the plot against democracy, but by creating her valid theme, she renewed concerns about being “awakening.” Her message was rejected.
In India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Mobabat ki Dukan” (Love Shop) frames the debate of democraticism in the narrow term of opposition to dictators, and the adaptation of the culture of awakening in America. It looks like that. But for the poor, democracy is not about a war with dictators to preserve institutions and social structures, and not so much about immediate economic relief. The peasant movement was a powerful exposition of opposition to the dictatorship, but the poor did not abandon the prime minister given the wide distribution of government’s economic incentives.
Harris and Gandhi’s campaigns were so dependent on fighting for a liberal order. The reason the demagogues can shake voters is that their injustice has already ordered the liberal order as a disastrous threat to the majority of people willing to become partners to promote it. was barely thought up.
Trump is plagued by the Maga movement, which has been plagued by “flew employment,” “critical racial theory,” and “criminal pours.” I pledged to do so. Modi offered to “awaken Hinduism.” Anti-Trampism in that context was interpreted as a rush towards a catastrophe, where outsiders increased their interests at the expense of white Americans. Anti-modism is interpreted as Congressional anxiety by placing Hindus priorities above.
A practical course is to attract voters with a more engaging story while avoiding conflicts in sensitive areas. In 2020, the Biden campaign emphasized that elections were “American moments” rather than “partisan moments.” This message unlike Harris and Hillary Clinton’s campaigns that focused solely on anti-Tulpians, he went home to disillusion Trump voters. Delhi Prime Minister Arvind Kejwal understands the calculations. When asked about his party’s goal post in 2022, he said:
The attractive alternative vision of the country must come from people’s expectations. Harris’ campaign miscalculated what people expected. For a long time, she supported several obsessions on the left, including the single payer health insurance scheme, and banned fracking. It told Trump an effective Arsenal: the horror of “Comrade Kamala.” His proportion of Hispanic voters, many of whom fled from the communist regime, jumping from 32% in 2020 to 46% in 2024, the Edison study said.
The error of the council
By beating large corporations every day, the Congress also miscalculates the expectations of the ambitious class, especially in India, and is no longer just the metropolitan and class population. Young people in India share the confidence that businessmen have a key role to play as wealth generators and job creators in order for the country to grow. They demand a consistent plan to drive India’s growth.
Congress does not provide anything. That doll-out politics have been partially successful in parliamentary elections. But people are not satisfied with peace of mind. They want to be engrossed in their dreams. The maga induced it, and achhe din induced it. Caste Census is not. Maga and Achhe Din will come for everyone (mythically). However, caste census benefits only for other backward classes. It hinders the ability of Congress to consider diverse demographics. Also, given the party’s uncertainty over Mandal’s politics, it seems unbearably convenient for the sudden fidelity.
Today, the Prime Minister’s idea, assertive enough to be trusted to put a positive spin on the way forward in India’s lofty global role, is designed for most voters. However, parliamentary overreliance on regional parties is a frontal role, reducing its appeal as it barely denies an effective geopolitical roadmap.
Congress must create an atmosphere of being under command and declare that it will partner only with those who embrace its outstanding role and vision of national security and India’s international goal post, or otherwise oppose it. It will not be blurred. This sends a message that they are not greedy for power, but rather seeking power to ensure people’s interests and India’s interest. Allies will not disappear – they need it because they need it. But before allies and people believe in their leadership, Congress must demonstrate leadership.
Anand Bhakto is a journalist covering politics and Kashmir conflicts
Published – February 6, 2025 01:36 AM IST
