#SabseSolidPMInterview | PM On Voter Turnout Decline: Advocates For Stronger Democratic Narratives

In a recent exclusive interview with the India Today Group, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the question of whether voter enthusiasm has declined since the previous elections in 2014 and 2019. When asked about the reduced voting percentage and its implications on voter enthusiasm, Modi provided a multi-faceted response. PM Modi began by suggesting that some analysts thrive on creating certain narratives to remain relevant, implying that their analysis may not always reflect the ground reality. He recounted his experience from working with the BJP in Gujarat before 1995, during municipal elections where independent candidates were more common. BJP decided to contest on party symbols to instill a sense of responsibility among the workers and to make the party’s performance more accountable. Despite this, independents won more seats, and journalists questioned BJP's prospects based on this outcome. Modi highlighted that such superficial analyses often miss the deeper understanding of electoral dynamics. He emphasized that the importance of voting in a democracy should not be overlooked. Voter indifference, according to Modi, is detrimental to the democratic process. He urged that the narrative should focus on strengthening democracy rather than getting entangled in speculative arguments about election outcomes. Modi stated that instead of making claims about winning or losing, he focuses on ground preparation and plans for the future, citing his approach of preparing for the first 100 days post-elections. In essence, Modi’s response underscores the complexity of electoral participation and the need to focus on substantive democratic engagement rather than superficial metrics or speculative analyses.