In 2019, Is BJP Riding a Modi Wave or a Money Wave?

'As India passes the halfway mark of the general election, Narendra Modi’s personal popularity remains high – bumped up to 43%, according to one study, thanks to the optics of the Balakot air-strikes. Such effective campaign messaging, however, would be impossible without funds, and the BJP’s funding advantage has been the most under-examined factor in this election. The ruling party’s ability to spend on publicity – supported by a host of unofficial or secretive efforts – has sharply tilted the playing field, though at the cost of legal and ethical norms of transparency...'