The results appear to mark a rare setback for a politician who has never failed to secure a majority in state or national elections over a 23-year political career.
Dude’s entire appeal boiled down to Islamophobia. Now that the economy is stalling out and they’re caught between cheap Russian gas and angry US diplomats on the world stage, the only card he has left to play is “Let’s see how pissed off I can make 15% of my native population and all of my neighbors”.
For anyone who isn’t a die-hard Hinduvista, this fails to deliver much appeal.
Dude’s entire appeal boiled down to Islamophobia. Now that the economy is stalling out and they’re caught between cheap Russian gas and angry US diplomats on the world stage, the only card he has left to play is “Let’s see how pissed off I can make 15% of my native population and all of my neighbors”.
For anyone who isn’t a die-hard Hinduvista, this fails to deliver much appeal.