2014 Lok Sabha Elections: Poll scene is still a boiling pot

With announcement of poll process for 2014 Lok Sabha approaching, poll fever is intensifying, but still it remains a boiling pot. The scene need to be looked into from two levels, Leaders or Voters and Candidates or Campaigns.

The advertising campaign of Congress and BJP are already pecking both in print and electronic media particularly Congress Party’s. But BJP, Narendra Modi more specifically, has pitched high in social media, networks with several agencies at home and abroad at work aggressively. Modi campaigners also are proving that power of word of mouth is as relevant in spreading a number crunch game.

So far the concern has been one of bandwagoning of leaders…. helped by poll surveys and endorsements by icons from different fields. Coalition realities being critical, wooing regional leaders will remain a concern of campaigns.

Provoking anti-establishment current has been a preoccupation so far of BJP, Modi and other opposition parties. Congress party hardly has any time to neutralize that trend and its media advertising alone is not enough.

Modi has been busy wooing voters by reaching out across the country going beyond traditional BJP states and pockets. His machinery is far more strategic and ahead in creating a mood and even going beyond. It's unlikely Modi’s campaigns peaks out to reverse the trend.

Congress party, on the other, is busy coming up with several sops, and Rahul Gandhi is engaged more in galvanizing caders and trying to gear up with his own skills. Also no research back up is evident in his public addresses. And he is yet to come out of a defensive frame.

With parties coming up with lists of candidates in next few weeks and as regional satraps indicate initial stand or coalition preferences, the picture will be clear more in the coming few days. The eleven party Third Front that was announced last week has less chance of retaining its seriousness with neither of the three - Mamata, Mayawati and Jayalalita - taking lead.

The author is a pioneer in studying polls and political campaigns.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organisation.