Here it comes. Donald Trump, the former US president who is again vying for the most prestigious office in the world, says he had every right to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.

Although facing charges at federal and state levels for election interference, he thinks the indictment is politically motivated to block his way in the upcoming polls.

It is certainly a scary scenario. The US is supposed to be a beacon for democracies around the world. In fact, it champions the cause and lectures others to follow democratic principles. However, the rise of far right led by a populist like Trump means peaceful transfer of power is no more granted even in the US despite the fact that the principle is the bedrock for a democratic system.

With the Jan 6 Capitol Hill attack still haunting the Americans, a repeat of the same tactics could jeopardize the damage foundations of the vision set by the US founding fathers.

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At the same time, it sets a bad example and bolsters the far-right groups who stand for anti-democratic ideals but use civil liberties to curb the very civil liberties after coming into power. The attack on the Brazilian Congress after Jair Bolsonaro lost the presidential election to the “comeback boy”, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is a prime example.

However, we don’t need to go that far across the Indian and Atlantic oceans to study the phenomenon and learn our lesson, as we already our own Trump version, Imran Khan.

CHARACTER ISN’T A FACTOR

It is just a cliché to say that the demagogues around the globe have same traits, modus operandi and goals.

To begin with, both have sleazy and debauched character, but portrayed as and accepted by their followers as “cleanest among the clean”. Certainly, you can’t win the hearts and minds if you are not different and better from the others who must be eliminated or at least sidelined completely so that you can implement your agenda.

LIVE FOR THE POWER, DIE FOR THE POWER

So, after a developing a cult, which doesn’t question your motives, the next step is to achieve the end goal – come into power and stay in power. Trump and Imran have mastered the art. Although they met failures, the model they have developed is still working for them at the cost of people, society and state.

WEAPONIZATION OF RELIGION

Another common feature is the use of religion in politics. Trump is banking on the White Evangelical Protestants. Over two-thirds of them support him. They are followed by White Catholics, White nonevangelical Protestants and of Hispanic Protestants. However, the main ingredient is race, thus the White supremacy, which makes him popular among these groups. In other words, it is the bond.

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Same is the case with Imran who is unique given the fact that he openly backs the extremists like Taliban and believe that the attire used by women can influence the men because they are not robots. The selective use of Quranic verses for all the mayhem he has been creating is the weapon employed effectively by him and his party, the PTI.

LAW AND CONSTITUTION: THE FIRST VICTIMS

Since the impression has been created that the two are mandated under religion to execute their plans, they are not like others. Hence, Trump and Imran are also above the law and the constitution, which must be defined and redefined according to their needs. Any attempt to stamp the writ of state means you are a traitor and anti-people while being a part of the deep state to block the change. Hence, the victim despite committing the crime.

YOU ARE CORRUPT

The system is corrupt and the change is a must to protect the poor from the looters, which, the duo claims, must be introduced by the hook or crook. However, Trump is a billionaire who doesn’t want to reveal his income and tax returns, while Imran maintains a luxurious lifestyle with a very limited income. They also have rich financiers who, you should believe, are not involved in plundering the resources.

PARLIAMENT IS THE TARGET

Lastly, Trump and Imran also share the ill-famous distinction of attacking the parliaments in their respective countries. They won’t accept the election results if the polling day doesn’t produce the desired outcome.

During the successful election campaign in 2016, Trump had said, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”

“It’s, like, incredible,” he boosted, knowing that his supporters don’t ask any question and follow him religiously. Why not? The end justifies the means. Now just recall the events before, during and after the May 9 violence in Pakistan.

Surely, democracy doesn’t need any enemy when democracy is at the mercy of Trump and Imran.