Elections in hindsight

Every election in India is unique and significant in the historical and evolutionary process of Indian democracy. Our democracy indicates its vibrancy, maturity and sobriety. Despite small drawbacks and inadequacies, 2019 electoral process went down very well. Conducting election in a country of 1.2 billion people, with extreme differences, disparities, and inequalities, is not an ordinary task. It cannot be compared with any country in the world. It is massive and managing the massiveness of the electoral processes and procedures is a great achievement.

The political parties have displayed their full energy, enthusiasm, and efforts during electioneering by affirming faith in the constitutional electoral machinery in mobilising people for the political task of casting votes. In this process, voters have been apprised about the issues that are afflicting the country and solutions to be found out through the new regimes of different political fronts. Based on the perception, image, the knowledge they have gained and hope, people have given a dear mandate of the country's governance to BJP.

While voting, people give a collective message regarding their priority and preference in selecting the party to be in power. Political parties, both the victor and the vanquished, have to understand in perspective and act further. The intelligence of the political parties lies in understanding the exact mood of the people.

BJP and Modi have projected that they stand for India's pride, security, integrity, unity, and development. Further, BJP has given a signal that it looks at the whole scheme of development through Hindutwa framework. BJP has got a strong leader to do that job and there is no schism either in the party or on the front.

On the other hand, the opposition parties joined only to submit a petition and remove Modi. They come together to bring allegations against Modi and not to act cohesively to combat his power. They have not joined together to project themselves as a force to govern the country with a common plan of action. Huge promises are present in the manifestoes of the Indian National Congress and opposition parties, not in BJP's. Yet people gave priority to BJP and Modi even though rich promises are in the manifesto of the opposition parties.

It is easy to comprehend that BJP and its leaders gave a notion to the people that they have credibility, they are united and highly disciplined to deliver what they promised. But the opposition parties criticised Modi and BJP and they criticised each other contemptuously. It gives a sense to the people that BJP and Modi always talk about the country, security, patriotism, and nationalism. The opposition groups have not touched such emotive and sensitive issues. They have given a feeling to the people that for the opposition, nation and national security are not priorities, the prime minister position is the sole aim and every party is interested in increasing their tally to increase their bargaining power during the government's formation. So opposition parties are interested in strengthening their own position rather than evincing interest in the national issues. Every party in the opposition felt that people have suffered during demonetisation and GST and thereby, they would vote the opposition parties. There is no doubt that people have suffered and yet they rely on the credibility of Modi, not the opposition because the credibility of the opposition parties has been questioned by Modi through the past records. Many of the regional parties suffered set back because of the corrupt image of leaders. This has been effectively used by Modi in the past five years and he continued the same attack during this election also.

A very comprehensive, deliverable manifesto has been brought out by the Indian National Congress but it has not reached voters as they have organisational inadequacy. Congress is not clear in its role and hence they have not declared their position on the post of prime ministership. Rahul Gandhi was proposed only by DMK and not by Congress. While taking the decision Congress or other regional and national opposition parties, the Modi factor has to be in the backdrop but not to attack Modi. The opposition parties have to introspect and further act competitively with the government led by BJP. India enters into a new era which is totally market-driven and in market-driven politics, democracy takes a backseat as it has not delivered substantial economic goods to the poor. Many parties have come to stagnation. Hence, political parties need introspection and appropriate action.

(Dr. G Palanithurai is a former Professor and Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies, Gandhigram Rural Institute. The views expressed are strictly personal)