By Suresh Unnithan
In the lead-up to elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) frequently resort to blaming the Congress party—for issues ranging from border insecurity in the Northeast to Bangladeshi infiltration. During a recent rally in Assam, Modi accused the Congress, out of power at the Centre for over a decade, of enabling these problems. This is a recurring theme: attributing present challenges to the opposition. However, the BJP has held central power since 2014 (with a prior term from 1998-2004 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee), and Assam has been under BJP rule since 2016. Border security and immigration are Union government responsibilities, overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs. After more than 12 years in office, questions arise about how long the party can rely on criticisms of a previous regime.
This approach of highlighting past failures serves to shift focus from the current government’s record. Issues like prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur and economic policies seen as favouring large corporates have drawn criticism. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, voters showed signs of fatigue with such narratives, reducing the BJP’s seats and forcing reliance on coalition partners. Appeals to Hindutva and communal polarization, once electorally potent, have faced diminishing returns as economic concerns take precedence for many.
Border Insecurity and Infiltration: Contrasting Records and Ongoing Challenges
Bangladeshi infiltration remains a sensitive issue, with historical estimates varying widely and current reliable figures limited. Official data reveals differences in deportation approaches between regimes. During the Congress-led UPA (2005-2013), approximately 82,000-88,792 Bangladeshi nationals were formally deported, according to parliamentary statements and reports. In contrast, formal deportations under the NDA dropped significantly—to around 1,822-2,566 from 2014-2019—with low numbers continuing in subsequent years due to diplomatic and identification hurdles.
The government has defended this by shifting to informal “pushbacks,” especially intensified after political changes in Bangladesh in late 2024-2025. Reports indicate thousands of undocumented migrants were pushed back or voluntarily exited in 2025, with over 2,000 deported in some crackdowns and infiltration attempts persisting (e.g., detections in the hundreds to thousands annually). Critics argue pushbacks bypass legal processes and raise human rights concerns, while supporters view them as pragmatic responses to evolving border dynamics. Despite progress on fencing and security, challenges remain after years of NDA rule, prompting questions about whether blaming Congress “vote-bank politics” fully addresses present realities.
Manipur Violence: A Test of Governance
The ethnic violence in Manipur, a BJP-ruled state since 2017, underscores accountability challenges. Clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023 have resulted in over 258-260 deaths by early 2025, displaced more than 60,000 people, and continued intermittently. Human rights reports have pointed to delays in response and allegations of partisan handling.
With central intervention authority available, the conflict’s persistence—over two years—has highlighted gaps in intelligence and reconciliation. The BJP emphasizes efforts toward peace, but critics argue the “double-engine” governance model has fallen short in restoring normalcy, making external blame less convincing.
Economic Realities and Hindutva’s Electoral Limits
The BJP positions itself as a defender of Hindu interests through Hindutva, but economic data presents a mixed picture. Claims of rising Hindu poverty are not supported by official statistics. The NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (2023) shows poverty declining sharply—from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23—with 24.82 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty. World Bank estimates indicate extreme poverty dropped further to 4-5% by 2024-25.
Hindus, comprising about 80% of the population, have benefited substantially from schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Yojana. However, critics highlight widening inequality, joblessness, and inflation impacting rural and lower-income groups, including many Hindus. The 2024 election outcomes, with BJP losses in key Hindi-heartland states, reflected voter priorities shifting toward livelihoods over ideological campaigns. Hindutva mobilization remains influential but has not guaranteed sustained dominance when economic delivery is questioned.
Ducking Controversies: Epstein Files and Trade Deals
Recent controversies have intensified scrutiny. The early 2026 unsealing of additional Jeffrey Epstein documents sparked debate in India. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s name appeared in emails from 2014-2015, referencing professional meetings (three or four times), comments on Epstein’s “taste in people,” and business discussions. Puri has strongly denied wrongdoing, stating interactions were limited and professional, with no involvement in illicit activities. Indirect references to PM Modi via intermediaries (e.g., 2017 emails) were dismissed by the government as baseless. The opposition has demanded explanations, leading to protests, though no evidence of direct impropriety has emerged.
Concurrently, the interim Indo-US trade deal announced in early 2026 has faced backlash. Critics, including Rahul Gandhi, argue it compromises farmers by allowing subsidized US imports (e.g., poultry feed) and threatens sectors like textiles and energy security. Farmer unions protested, warning of impacts on rural livelihoods. Shares of Adani and Ambani groups surged post-announcement, fueling accusations of cronyism echoing past debates (e.g., Rafale). The government counters that the deal boosts exports (e.g., zero tariffs on many Indian agricultural products), enhances competitiveness, and supports farmer incomes, while maintaining overall trade surpluses in key areas.
Performance Essential, not Blame Game
The BJP’s strategy—perpetual election mode, blaming Congress for decades-old issues, and polarising on Hindutva—has reached diminishing returns. Voters in 2024 signalled fatigue with narratives ignoring present failures: lower formal deportations despite long rule, persistent border challenges, Manipur’s unending violence, and economic policies sparking protests. While poverty has undeniably declined, delivering inclusive growth remains elusive.
India deserves governance focused on prospects, not perpetual campaigning. Blaming the opposition for everything—from infiltration to economic woes—may win rallies but erodes trust. As new distractions like the Epstein mentions involving key figures and trade deals emerge, the question remains: Will the party show gift to admit its failures, less accusing rivals?
*Inputs from Nanditha Subhadra
