The tragedy here is that there is no shortage of legitimate, substantive grounds on which to challenge the Modi govt. A focused, evidence based campaign would be far harder to deflect than a name calling exercise that BJP can simply hold up and turn it to its advantage. Instead, Congress reaches for the personal insult and each time, discovers that it has reinforced the very image it sought to dent. Modi is not weakened by being called a ‘chor’ or a ‘terrorist’. He is strengthened. The attacks become proof of his narrative that the establishment fears him, that old power structures will say anything to pull him down, that the outrage of his opponents is the truest measure of his disruption. Good political opposition requires discipline. It requires the willingness to fight on ground that is uncomfortable, to make arguments that persuade people. It requires to resist the short term dopamine of the crowd pleasing jab and adopt the slower, harder work of eroding trust in the govt through facts. Congress, right now, is doing none of that. It is, instead, doing BJP’s campaign work for free. And BJP although is protesting but deep down they are smiling and not complaining.