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The Grand Old Party must learn that negative campaigns can be counter-productive while nationalism and inward-looking policies help seal the deal
The Donald Trump victory has possibly taught Congress a thing or two about strategising. (PTI)
It’s a landslide win for Donald Trump which has defied every formula and calculation — a comeback best seen in movies. Back home in India, the US presidential elections have been one of the mostly keenly watched fights, with the BJP and Congress taking clear sides.
Now that Trump has proved pollsters wrong, let’s see what are the lessons that the Opposition, especially Congress, can learn from the poll results.
First, negative campaigns can boomerang or be counter-productive. For instance, it was believed that the multiple legal cases against Trump and name-calling him at every level would garner sympathy for Kamala Harris. However, it didn’t. To the contrary, Trump’s supporters came all out to ensure a clear and big mandate for him and also worked overtime to ensure he earned the support of whites.
The more Harris’ campaigns hit at Trump, the more his supporters retaliated. This was pretty much like the ‘chai-wala’ jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and attacks on him in later polls. While Congress celebrates the fact that BJP did not get even a simple majority in 2024, it’s seen more as a mandate caused by overconfidence and fault-lines on the ground than an affront to PM Modi’s personal popularity. Congress needs to learn that attacking the prime minister on his personality instead of issues does not click.
Nationalism and inward-looking policy were the other hallmarks of the Trump campaign that clicked. Going by his last term, it was clear to Americans that his strict immigration policy — meant to encourage an economic policy that will protect American interests — will help the country. This has been the hallmark of Modi’s economic policy as well. Insisting on being self-reliant, promoting an aggressive nationalist policy, and accusing the Congress of demeaning nationalism and national interest — all this has wooed voters who seem to find prudence in this stance. In fact, the questioning of Balakot air strikes has been repeatedly used by the BJP to hit back at the Congress for being anti-nationalist.
And finally, stirring the narrative that minorities and constitutional principles would be in danger if Trump won did not get much traction. Statistics show that apart from the Whites, even Blacks voted for Trump. It’s the assurance of stability which could have worked for the former President.
Back home, Modi rides high on these factors, emphasising that his government wants to ensure development and safety for all and that the Opposition’s ‘Samvidhan Khatre Mein Hai’ [Constitution is in danger] narrative is just eyewash. It did work a bit in some areas in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but the BJP is taking no chances now.
The BJP feels that the Haryana results are a vindication of its policies and strategies. Trump’s win has given them more hope. Meanwhile, one can only hope it has taught Congress some lessons in strategising.
