Political re-alignment in India- post 2014 elections

After the general elections in India last May, when the BJP won with a thumping majority, I wrote my blog “India at the edge of a dramatic change in political governance “(http://ramnarayanan1112.blogspot.com/2014/05/india-at-edge-of-dramatic-change-in.html).  The BJP won with a majority on a Modi wave. Most of the people were very positive that the new government would usher in changes to cater to a new India and the aspirations of the younger people. I had written that the 2014 elections was also a watershed election in which new trends were visible the most important of which was that Indian politics is tilting towards development and governance politics.

More than 6 months after the new government has taken over the optimism and enthusiasm continues for the BJP government. Despite some fears of “too much hype and less action” the development and governance agenda put forward by BJP is still the talk of most of the people. After the successful national victory, the BJP juggernaut has rolled on the platform of development and governance with victories in Haryana, Maharashtra and other states. The successive election victories of BJP has shifted the centre of political power to the rightist and pro-capitalist platform. The people of India, through exposure from the social media and a borderless world, want better living standards and life styles and not get caught in a quagmire of dogma and slogans.  Unless the BJP falls flat on its development agenda or there is major shift in the aspirations of a major section of the people there are no visible reasons why this shift would be reversed.

The shift in the political centre of power has caught many of the other political parties on a wrong footing and most of them are in disarray with these tectonic shifts. The left oriented Congress party has been thoroughly thrashed in all the polls and as of today they rule only in 3 states viz. Karnataka, Assam and Kerala. Their socialist, welfare oriented and freebie policies and anti- business stance has been given a resounding thumbs down by the people.  The lack of development in the UPA-2 rule and confused leadership of the Congress has shown that they still haven`t understood the growth and development aspirations of the people and is reflected in their continued losses in the polls. The socialist and Lohiaites (RJD, SP, JDU, etc.) have recently come together to form a socialist and anti-BJP front which is nothing more than an opportunist front and nothing to do with growth and development.  The Communist Parties have been virtually decimated. TMC and BJP are the main players in Bengal and in Kerala the communists are an opportunistic player. The regional parties have been winning votes by mainly playing with the local sentiments. The BJP, using its development agenda and Modi as their mascot, has made inroads in Bengal, especially North Bengal much to the chagrin of the TMC. The TMC was voted to power in the hope that they would reform Bengal which had stagnated for decades under the communist rule. However the TMC has proved to be a rabble rouser rather than a performer. Similar is the case in UP with the Samajwadi Parties non-performance.

Is this shift in the political alignment sustainable? I would think so due to the following reasons. The PM, a proven task master, has built up his election campaign on development and governance and hence any lack of effort will show him in poor light. On a similar plane, lack of performance by the BJP will surely hurt them badly in the next elections. Importantly, the majority of Indian people are eager for development and hence will support politicians who prove their development credentials. Finally, the international community is looking upto India as a shining path in the bleak economic scenario and hence India would very well like to grab the chance to catch up for lost growth.

What should the present government do to sustain and build upon this shift in political alignment?

a)  Most importantly deliver on its election promises. Focus on infrastructure and day to day hassles of people like travel, availability of power, water, food, etc.

b)The rural people are the most susceptible to the freebie culture. Hence focus on development in rural areas and importantly focus on primary education and skills development for employment.

c)  Business friendly policies to stimulate and sustain investment and hence more jobs for the young people.

d)  Be harsh in tackling corruption.

Finally I would like to touch upon an important issue on political governance. One of the most important pillars of democracy is an effective opposition. Given the state of the opposition parties as discussed earlier are there any chances that they will change with the new re alignment in the political scenario? It is possible like the way Tony Blair turned around a moribund Labour Party in the 90`s to election success in UK. The main party Congress needs some fresh blood and clarity in leadership which is lacking as of now. The regional parties are running helter skelter with a few exceptions like BJD, TDP which are aligned with the centre. The socialist outfits are dogmatic and opportunist. What about the poster boy of last year- AAP? We have heard lectures on governance but unless we see performance they would also be categorized in the same barrel of apples as others.

Let`s hope for the best from this government and hopefully the political re-alignment makes our lives better.