Each election is very special. As a bit of a nostalgia buff, the first election always matters.
I remember 1989, covering VP Singh as he was going on a road show through Mumbai. I was very excited. And, you know, that was the ‘Battle of Bofors.’
That was also the first election, by the way, where the BJP emerged. And I think that was fascinating. In 1991, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination… bang in the middle of the elections.
That changed the complexion of that poll. In terms of surprises, I would say 2004 and this election in 2024, were the two surprises in terms of outcomes.
So, you’d have to measure these two. I don’t think anyone expected Mr Vajpayee to not become Prime Minister in 2004. I think everyone expected the BJP to win big in 2024. And neither happened. I think Mr. Modi can claim that at least, unlike Mr. Vajpayee, he’s not out of power. But just think about it, had Odish — it’s one of the what-ifs — if Odisha had not voted the way they were, which was primarily because…