The landscape of Indian politics was dominated by the saffron hue of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the commemorative day of December 3, 2023, when the elections assembly results announced a resounding triumph for the incumbent party. Securing comprehensive majorities in the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the BJP confirmed its dominant position once more, delivering a significant blow to its prime challenger, the Indian National Congress (INC), which managed to secure a victory only in Telangana.
As the ballots were counted and the wins tallied up, a palpable sense of jubilation surged among the BJP faithful. Not only had they defied the odds, but they had also shattered the predictions of the exit polls, which had anticipated a secure victory for the BJP in merely one state. The actual outcome? A landslide 3-1 triumph that reinforced the ruling party’s stature and agenda.
This political victory also resonated well in the world of cricket, with several former players expressing their joy and endorsement of the BJP’s performance. Venkatesh Prasad and Gautam Gambhir, both erstwhile Indian cricketers, were quick to congratulate the party publicly. They lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the dedication of the BJP cadres, noting their significant role in steering the nation’s developmental trajectory.
Meanwhile, the elections proved to be an irresistible moment for former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria, known for his favorable comments towards the BJP and PM Modi, to wade into the mix. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), the ex-cricketer could not help but take a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi concerning an earlier underhand remark he had made about Prime Minister Modi.
Tapping into the aftermath of India’s unfortunate loss to Australia in the cricket World Cup final, Kaneria posted, “Panauti Kaun (who’s unlucky now)?”, referencing Gandhi’s implicative speech at a rally in Rajasthan. Gandhi had implied that PM Modi’s presence at the venue in Ahmedabad on November 19 was an ill omen for the Indian cricket team, suggesting it contributed to their defeat.
“Our boys were playing well, they would have won the World Cup. But we lost because of ‘Panauti’. The TV guys won’t tell you this but people know,” Gandhi had remarked, postulating a jinx that he felt had swung the momentum away from India on that crucial day. This controversial comment attracted censure from both the Election Commission and the BJP, yet imperceptibly it seemed to foreshadow his party’s own political defeat in three of the four states undergoing polling.
The final figures encapsulate the BJP’s victory lap: holding a commanding 54 seats over Congress’ 35 in Chhattisgarh, an overwhelming 164 to 65 seat lead in Madhya Pradesh, and clinching 115 seats to Congress’ 69 in Rajasthan. These numbers served to confirm the robust support the BJP enjoys across these key states. The outcome of the poll in Mizoram was still awaited and was slated for declaration the following day, Monday, December 4.
While the elections have concluded, marking yet another chapter in India’s vibrant democracy, the cricket field has proven to be an unexpected battleground for political pundits and sports personalities alike. In its wake, the BJP savors a significant mandate, while the Congress party reflects on the drawing board, dissecting its missteps. The crossover between sporting analogies and political discourse remains, underscoring the ever-woven threads of cricket and politics in the Indian tapestry. The latest assembly election results, though, have spoken emphatically, handing the BJP a striking endorsement and a renewed mandate to govern.