Despite years of loud claims about development and global rise, the ground reality tells a more uncomfortable story. The rupee is weaker than ever, prices of food and daily items keep rising, jobs remain uncertain, and inequality is at record levels. Yet under Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party continues to deliver strong election results across states. This contrast raises a complex question about Indian politics today. Are elections being won because people feel their lives are improving or because powerful narratives, identity politics and constant campaigning have replaced hard accountability ?
विकास और वैश्विक ताकत के बड़े दावों के बावजूद, जमीनी हकीकत कुछ और ही कहानी कहती है। रुपया कमजोर है, खाने-पीने और रोज़मर्रा की चीज़ों की कीमतें बढ़ रही हैं, नौकरियां अनिश्चित हैं और असमानता रिकॉर्ड स्तर पर है। फिर भी नरेंद्र मोदी के नेतृत्व में भाजपा कई राज्यों में लगातार चुनाव जीत रही है। यह विरोधाभास आज की भारतीय राजनीति पर एक बड़ा सवाल खड़ा करता है। क्या चुनाव इसलिए जीते जा रहे हैं क्योंकि लोगों की ज़िंदगी बेहतर हो रही है या इसलिए कि मजबूत कथाएं, पहचान की राजनीति और लगातार प्रचार ने जवाबदेही की जगह ले ली है ?
As Congress prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, its alliance confusion is once again on full display. After repeated losses, the party needs allies to survive, yet struggles to trust them. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress appears stuck between fear and indecision. Instead of leading coalitions, it often seems to negotiate from weakness. The poking question is hard to avoid. Has Congress turned alliances into an excuse to hide its shrinking ground strength, rather than fixing its own organisation ?
