In a dramatic turn of events, the front page of The Telegraph’s Calcutta edition featured a striking half-page image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a headline that resonated across the nation: “India cuts Modi down”. The image captured Modi in a moment of contemplation, eyes cast downward, symbolizing a significant shift in the political landscape.
Inspired Opposition Rises
One of the featured reports, titled “Elected in numbers: An inspired Opposition”, showcased a picture of key Congress figures – Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi – alongside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The article highlighted the relentless campaign efforts of the Opposition, who, despite being pushed to the wall and facing unprecedented challenges, managed to inspire a substantial voter base.
It noted, “The Opposition waged its campaign pushed to the wall and braving unprecedented odds. Two chief ministers were arrested as electioneering gathered momentum, the threat of raids or arrest by agencies like the ED and CBI hung over many others in the INDIA ranks.”
Mamata Banerjee’s Commanding Victory
The second report, “Didi has BJP on the mat, again”, featured a photograph of Mamata Banerjee addressing the public. The report underscored her impressive achievement in West Bengal, stating: “Trinamool has vanquished the BJP in Bengal, cornering around 46 percent of the votes and bagging 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, cementing Mamata Banerjee’s position as the country’s most formidable Opposition leader for the second time in three years after the 2021 Assembly polls.”
As the dust settles, these results mark a significant shift in the Indian political arena, with the Opposition parties gaining ground and demonstrating their resilience and strategic prowess.
