Political Truth and Lies: A Tale of Promises and Performances

 Political Truth and Lies: A Tale of Promises and Performances

 

Political truth and lies are inseparable companions in the game of governance, and nowhere is this more apparent than in India’s current political landscape. I write this article for a friend who firmly believes that the BJP government, under the towering leadership of Modi and Shah, is the epitome of honesty, while everyone else in the country indulges in deception. She claims that the BJP has delivered on its promises far more effectively than any previous government. Never mind that under this administration, 850 million Indians now fall below the poverty line, relying on monthly food handouts to survive—a testament, perhaps, to the "acche din" we were promised.

When Modi campaigned in 2014, he unleashed a torrent of promises that captured the public’s imagination. Among the most memorable was his pledge to bring back black money stashed abroad and deposit ₹15 lakh into every Indian’s bank account. Eight years later, the money remains as elusive as a monsoon in the desert. What was this, if not a calculated lie designed to win votes? Modi also promised to create two crore jobs annually, double farmers’ incomes, and eliminate poverty entirely. Lofty goals, but without any tangible action to back them up, they became little more than political fantasies spun to secure electoral gains.

Contrast this with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), whose governance model in Delhi stands as a testament to what can be achieved when promises are kept. Before coming to power, AAP made specific commitments to the people of Delhi: reduced electricity bills, affordable water, better schools, free healthcare, and safer public spaces for women. Not only did they fulfill these promises, but they exceeded expectations. Electricity costs weren’t just reduced—200 units were provided free of charge. Water bills didn’t merely go down—20,000 liters of clean water per household became free. Government schools were transformed, with 5 lakh students transferring from private to public schools as they saw the quality of education vastly improve. AAP also revolutionized healthcare by establishing over 500 Mohalla Clinics and upgrading hospitals, making quality care accessible to all. Free bus rides for women enabled them to travel safely, empowering them economically and socially.

These achievements reflect political truth in its purest form—promises made and delivered upon. Meanwhile, the BJP’s theatrics, like Modi’s staged "tent school" in Gujarat, where computers and students were paraded for the cameras only to vanish afterward, epitomize political deception. Yet, many voters still cling to these illusions, swayed by the BJP’s relentless propaganda machinery.

The Congress Party, while often criticized for its inefficiencies, operated in a different realm of political truth. When Congress promised to eliminate poverty, it worked toward policies that reduced it incrementally. These were not lies but aspirational goals constrained by systemic challenges and a lack of cooperation from business communities. Congress’s governance, flawed as it may have been, at least made genuine efforts to address the needs of the people.

The BJP’s abuse of power extends beyond mere false promises. It has weaponized central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and even the judiciary to suppress opposition parties, particularly AAP. Leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satinder Jain, and Sanjay Singh were arrested on trumped-up charges, accused of corruption without a shred of evidence. The so-called Delhi Liquor Scam is a prime example of this political theater. Initially touted as a ₹10,000 crore scandal, the figure was later reduced to ₹100 crore, and still, no credible evidence was found. Ironically, while AAP leaders were jailed, real kickbacks allegedly flowed into BJP-linked coffers—a hypocrisy that would be laughable if it weren’t so destructive.

Adding insult to injury, the BJP accuses AAP of giving "freebies" to the public, portraying free electricity, water, and healthcare as irresponsible policies. Meanwhile, the BJP itself writes off billions in loans for crony capitalists, framing these actions as "economic reform." The contradiction is glaring: while AAP’s policies directly uplift millions, the BJP’s measures disproportionately benefit a privileged few. If hypocrisy were an Olympic sport, the BJP would undoubtedly secure gold in categories such as "Promise Breaking," "Selective Outrage," "Media Manipulation," and "Creative Fabrication of Scandals."

Their expertise extends to "Voter Suppression Relay," "Judicial Gymnastics," and "Agency Weaponization Sprint," showcasing an unparalleled ability to use governance as a tool for political advantage. By rewriting narratives and engineering distractions, they excel at projecting an illusion of competence while delivering little of substance to those who need it most.

The BJP’s condemnation of public welfare initiatives is matched only by its skill in staging theatrics, like the infamous "tent school photo op," which serves as a case study in superficiality. Their ability to turn minor opposition missteps into national scandals while conveniently ignoring their own significant failures reveals a mastery of propaganda. The party’s control over media ensures their narrative dominates, silencing dissenting voices and shielding their shortcomings from scrutiny.

The judiciary, once a beacon of impartiality, has been compromised under BJP rule, with decisions often favoring the ruling party. Similarly, central agencies have been filled with officers too compromised to resist political pressure, turning these institutions into tools of persecution against opposition leaders.

These dynamic paints a stark contrast between two approaches to governance. The BJP has honed the art of deception, using spectacle, suppression, and propaganda to maintain its dominance. In contrast, AAP has demonstrated that governance can be both honest and effective, delivering tangible benefits to the people it serves. The question is not whether politicians lie—most do. The real question is whether voters will continue to reward empty promises and blatant deception or demand accountability and meaningful governance. This choice will ultimately shape the future of Indian democracy.