Prakash Javadekar is generally seen as an amiable man, so a sinister underpinning is worryingly perceived when his poll rhetoric descends to offering the voter a limited choice: a strong government under Mr Narendra Modi or anarchy. For that line robs the democratic process of an essential feature of preferred choice, yet betrays the thought process of the ruling party which confuses “strong” with “authoritarian” and is a pointer to the unfolding campaign that will be Modi-centric, personality-propelled and a flashback to the days of the sycophantic exhortation that “Indira is India” which those who formed the BJP condemned. No doubt the HRD minister has re-presented his credentials to the party leadership by making his loyalties crystal clear, but the wider electorate will have certain misgivings: particularly those who still recall the mental trauma of 1975-77.

“Looking at yesterday’s rally in Kolkata, where all the Opposition parties came together, it was evident that all these parties want to drive out Modi, but who is the alternative? They cannot present an alternative so the condition of the country is like if there is no Modi there will be anarchy.” Fortunately for him, Javadekar was a political non-entity at the time so none could ask about an “alternative” when Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Shahi Imam shared an anti-Indira electoral platform on the steps of Delhi’s Jama Masjid in 1977 ~ not that the Janata Party alternative proved long lasting.. That monolithic thinking was confirmed by his slamming the “weak governments” of Gujral, Chandrashekhar and Deve Gowda” and contrasting them with the “strong and policy-driven” Modi government ~ conveniently forgetting that the NDA is also a coalition, even if some partners are taking the exit route. “Therefore people will choose between a mazboot government and a majboor government.” And, to be sure, he repeated Mr Modi’s contention that the Opposition’s nervousness was evident from its finding fault with electronic voting machines. He is to be excused for predicting more than 282 Lok Sabha seats for the BJP a few months down the road; “we will run a campaign mera ghar BJP ka ghar in the coming days under which those who support the party and want to vote for it will hoist the party flag atop their houses.”

The signals are clear, it is likely to be a bitter and vicious next few months and every effort will be made to snuff out those who think “differently”. Javadekar is not alone in chanting the divisive battle cry, other party leaders are doing so too, but when a “moderate” like him starts warning of “anarchy” there is valid cause for apprehension over society being completely polarised. Tolerance and “space” for independent thinking have no place in the battle- plans. And we are hypocrites to dub elections a “celebration” of democracy.