Narendra Modi

The Diplomat meets the firebrand Indian politician on the election campaign trail in West Bengal.

The region, a stronghold of Hindu nationalism since the 1960s, has been Modi’s fortress. But the BJP seems less sure of success this year.

Elections in India represent a paradoxical see-saw between trust and crises of legitimacy.

The BJP’s vision for India is more in sync with what most Indians want – an India that is a military and economic power that they can be proud of.

The party may increase its vote share in these states but votes may not translate into seats in parliament.

Modi has made Hindu nationalism acceptable, even desirable, to a nation of 1.4 billion that for decades prided itself on pluralism and secularism.

The opposition has dismissed the manifesto as a "jumla patra," a document of fake promises.

“Like many populists, Modi is a chameleon -- this is his brand. Everyone can find in him what he or she is looking for.”

Possibly for the first time in a decade, Modi's government finds its image dented by revelations of corruption.

Join us in the lead up to the Great Indian Election as we explore Narendra Modi’s BJP, and what made it the dominant force in Indian politics.

Their decisions seem bold, given that the BJP’s rise has prompted many of them earlier to adopt strategies seeking to appease the Hindu majority.

Neither Modi nor Muizzu can absolve themselves of responsibility for the spat.