ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book covers a diverse set of themes pertaining to the 2014 election and the ensuing political and electoral developments in India. It addresses the most fascinating puzzle of contemporary Indian politics: why and how have the southern states responded against the pro-Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national trend in the 2014 election. The book then introduces various operational details of non-state actors in Hindutva politics and the mechanism to promote their ideological objectives. It also explains the factors behind the BJP's 2014 spectacular success in Uttar Pradesh, which they view more as a Narendra Modi victory, not that of the BJP's victory. The book presents the discussion of Gujarat violence in 2002 in the context of the 2014 election. It then explores the question of India's Muslim voters and their attitude towards Hindutva and Modi.
