Cong needs to reflect on what really brought it down in 2014?
A combo of factors, but no, "dynasty" was NOT one of them. The Gandhis had won elections comfortably for decades.

Apart from the Modi hype, the BIGGEST thing that brought Cong down was the taint of corruption. 1/n

The allegations of corruption came thick and fast.
True or false, didn't matter after a while.
Once an impression sticks, confirmation bias takes over.
CWG, 2G, Adarsh, Coal and more.
Media was relentless.
India Against Corruption movement happened.

Aam aadmi had decided. 2/n

I'm not defending Cong here.
My problem is that BJP is not scam-free either.
There are enough scams that can implicate the Modi Govt/BJP.
And yet, Modi Govt is not tainted.
Why?
Cos the Govt completely controls the narrative.
Media in its pocket.
CBI, ED, courts too. 3/n

Many think Modi wins votes mainly cos of bigotry.
I don't agree.
I think Modi
- sells his "development" story well
- plays victim card well
- and, VERY IMPORTANTLY, works REALLY hard to ensure NO scams stick to him.

His image of Mr. Clean is paramount to him.

4/n

Even now, with SO much misery all round, ppl who've LIVED this misery say they trust Modi.
They trust he's trying his best.
They trust he's clean.
SUCH is his success in building his clean image.

Which is why if you want to beat Modi, you HAVE to bust this "clean image".
5/n

Rahul Gandhi tried.
Really hard.
He raised Rafale at every opportunity, on every platform.
Even in Parliament.
But SUCH is the Modi Govt's control of the narrative, and so little support did RG get, that it didn't work for him.
Why wasn't there an IAC equivalent this time?
6/n

Post 2019 results, some political analysts said corruption isn't an issue w/ voters anymore.
RUBBISH!

Corruption is still VERY MUCH an issue with voters.
Which is why Modi is SO keen on ensuring his Mr. Clean image.

Also why his Govt/BJP is RUTHLESS in suppressing voices. 7/n

IAC was possible because the UPA Govt was FAR more democratic than this Modi Govt.
It's a spectrum ofc - UPA also had its issues with allowing FoE.
But nothing compared to this govt.
Even if ppl wanted an IAC-like movement today, would they be allowed to have one?
8/n

So if you want to beat the BJP (which means beating the aura of Modi), you need to hit Modi where it hurts most.

You need to bust this "Mr Clean" image.
Don't waste time talking abt falling GDP et al.
Ppl don't care.
Show them how corrupt Modi is.
Make them believe you.
9/n

Ofc, easier said than done.
The Modi Govt controls the narrative very tightly.
Now even online news portals will come under I&B Ministry.
Print, TV, WA, FB - all already slave to Modi Govt.

But we have to keep trying.
Keep exposing them on corruption.
At every opportunity.
10/n.

We need to go through different routes.
E.g college students.
Lakhs of student voters.
Not sure how many of them today know of Modi Govt scams.
Enlighten them.
If SOME of them stop believing in Modi as Mr Clean, it will hopefully have a domino effect.
BUT BUST THAT IMAGE.
11/11.