The BJP leadership is fully aware of how vindictive the CBI arrest of Arvind Kejriwal or the Delhi L-G’s approval to prosecute Arundhati Roy appears. However, they remain unfazed. The message they are sending is clear: they will relentlessly pursue and ultimately get their targets.
On June 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media before the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, signalling the start of his third term in office, equaling the record set by Jawaharlal Nehru. While the NDA emerged victorious in the 2024 general election, the opposition argues that they didn’t truly lose since the BJP did not achieve an overall majority, despite Modi’s grand claims of surpassing 400 seats. This perceived setback for the BJP infuriates its members, who emphasise that Rahul Gandhi has led his party to a third consecutive defeat, with Congress holding less than a hundred seats in the Lok Sabha. Regardless, Modi remains a dominant figure, hailed as a leader bringing joy to the nation.
Despite private disappointment over misreading the national mood, Modi has portrayed his coalition-building efforts as a victory. Promising substantial assistance to allies like Chandrababu Naidu and maintaining continuity in his cabinet, Modi has worked to project a sense of stability and strength.
Yet, the Prime Minister and his party are signalling a return to their stringent policies. The decision to prosecute Arundhati Roy for decade-old remarks and the re-arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI highlights their determination to quash dissent. Despite the awareness of how vindictive these actions appear, the BJP leadership persists, indicating that they will pursue their targets relentlessly.
In the judiciary, actions like the social media blitz against Justice Niyay Bindu and the intervention by a High Court judge to stay Kejriwal’s bail order reflect the pressure on the judicial system. The Modi government’s willingness to re-arrest Kejriwal before the Supreme Court could intervene demonstrates their uncompromising stance.
These tactics are meant to reinforce Modi’s authority, but the newly energized opposition appears ready to challenge the government at every turn. While these political maneuvers dominate the headlines, many Indians remain more concerned with governance issues, such as rail safety and employment. The government’s handling of these critical issues, rather than its ability to jail opposition figures, may ultimately determine its long-term success and stability.
