By Surya Narayan Mishra in Bhubaneswar, March 17, 2017 : Team Modi has shown how elections are fought and how pre-election risks taken to again occupy the centre stage of Indian politics. The log-jam in Rajya Sabha, the strategic strike in September and the demonetisation move in November last year placed Modi on a different turf.

Everyone thought that election in five states would be ‘acid test’ for him. But despite a hostile Delhi based Media, unholy alliance between SP and Congress, so called political conflict over Budget presentation, prime minister Modi could exhibit his commitment and inner-strength to convince the voters of UP and Uttarakhand in particular that ‘Sabke Sath and Sabke Vikas’ is not digested by his opponents and he placed his track record with utmost precision and emphasis.

The voters of these two states were virtually saffronised and rejected non-Modi groups’ caste based politics, minorities’ appeasement and so called secular narratives. The result was astonishing for media pundits and Modi Critiques both outside and inside NDA. It is said that the first semi-final is over with emphatic victory and before 2019; the elections in Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh [all BJP ruled states] are with Modi.

Now what next? The poll results have sparked off a new political game plan for NDA supporters and detractors as well.

 Modi has placed a very difficult task for his party to undergo sleepless nights to fulfill the BJP dream of “Congress Mukt” India.

 The regional parties like scheming Shiv Sena [Maharashtra], orally orchestrating TMC [West Bengal] and a confused BJD [Odisha] are in dilemma about their own strategies to hold their fort.

 Modi is in reform mode. His dedicated approach and knowledge of his plans and programmes will terrorise the crestfallen opposition by further bitter does of reform.

 The new political image is likely to help NDA to smooth sail in the forthcoming election for Raisina Hills.

 The biennial election to Upper House will change the political equation and a new arithmetic will emerge in the final ear before 2019 to provide last hour healing touch outwitting the vocal and non-vocal opponents.

 On the whole, it was for Modi and by Modi, that NDA have shown a resolute fight against the opponents.