The Hindu Business Line : Where did BJP go wrong?

All electoral forecasts, exit polls and even some astrologers predicted a comfortable return of the NDA and of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.

Even the more cautious backers of the NDA thought no other alliance or political formation will be able to ensure a stable government at the Centre.

The stock market had a nervous collapse at the prospect of a hung Parliament and political instability.

The sovereign voter has spoken and surprised everybody. Ms Sonia Gandhi is in a position to form a Congress Government with the help of the Left parties.

There is every prospect that her government will be able to complete its term. The "feel good" and "India Shining" were rejected as hollow claims.

The improvement in communications and IT network left the voter unimpressed.

The voter was not bothered about India's improved image in the world comity, food stocks, exchange reserves, peace with Pakistan and so on.

What went wrong with the NDA and its hi-tech propaganda machine?

The fielding of Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and the activating of Priyanka Gandhi into politics took the bottom out of the controversy about Ms Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin.

There has been a clear preference for the rising young generation. Mr Bal Thackarey's proposal of a VRS to all politicians above 65 certainly did not help the NDA.

The invectives of NDA spokesmen against Ms Sonia Gandhi proved counter-productive.

Some senior NDA leaders raising the question of "who will succeed Vajpayee" weakened the major plank of the NDA that Vajpayee alone can lead a stable government.

Rushing of the publication of NDA's Agenda 2004 — without consulting all the BJP's component parties — that mentioned the "Ayodhya issue" created serious doubts about Mr Vajpayee's capacity to hold the communal elements under control.

The developments in the "Best Bakery case".

The weather Gods frowned upon the NDA; the widespread drought and farmers' suicides created a "feel bad' wave.

The NDA failed in selling its reforms and disinvestment policies to the public at large.

The fearsome consequence is that liberalisation and globalisation may receive a set back. India can hope to resume its progress towards free economy only after facing USSR-like crisis and torment.

(The author, Founder, Shetkari Sanghatana, can be contacted at asharad@mah.nic.in)