Tag: Narendra Modi and INDIA Bloc

INDIA Bloc is UPA in a New Package

‘INDIA Bloc is Old UPA in a New Package, Won’t Hurt BJP Prospects’

By LokMarg

Prof. Amit Upadhyay, who teaches Political Science in Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, points out that the new opposition alliance is rife with internal political differences. His views:

The abbreviation of the re-packaged new opposition front, INDIA (an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), might generate some emotional and psychological attachment for the nation and a feeling of love and affection for India, but it will not, by any stretch of imagination, be sufficient to replace PM Narendra Modi and emerge as a replacement for the NDA. However, some improvement in the vote share of its constituents is very much possible.

First, INDIA is yet to finalise a face that could be at par or prove to be a better replacement for the charismatic personality of Modi. Second, there is a visible acceptance in INDIA bloc that if they fought the BJP individually, they will not be able to give any kind of resistance. But coming together will help them in putting up a decent and challenging fight. This in itself proves their secondary position.

Contesting Lok Sabha elections is altogether a different fight and needs a totally different strategy. Thus, a coalition like this will enable the participating parties to pool in resources as parliamentary constituencies in India often involve multiple candidates, splitting votes three or even four ways. As a result, parties win elections even if they secure less than 50% of the votes cast.

For example, the figures of 2019 General Elections showed that BJP had about 37% of the total vote while non-BJP parties accounted for 63%. So, if they could consolidate a chunk of this through one-on-one contests, then the opposition vote will not get divided and that should be the heart of their strategy to take on Modi who, till date, appears to be taking the office for the third consecutive tenure.

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The Congress appears to be in a survival mode rather than leading the front because of the turn of events taking place in some states. Like in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party is playing on front foot and appears to be in no mood to yield any ground to the Congress in the state.

If we talk about the Congress supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on the Delhi Services Bill, its own leaders are not having a consensus on the issue. As far as Delhi and other states like Punjab are concerned (where AAP is in power) the Congress knows that it will come to power (in the Centre) in future and that is the reason that its support to AAP is very selective and minimal.

Meanwhile in Bihar, Congress has no standing as the collaboration of CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav (JDU and RJD) is strong enough to give a decisive fight to BJP and hence the Congress is nowhere in the scene. One thing is clear that the new front and the name will succeed in giving a visible challenge to the BJP and the NDA but that will not be enough to stop Modi in coming to power for the third consecutive time.

As told to Rajat Rai

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Brand Modi In Assembly Elections

‘Brand Modi May Not Work In Upcoming Assembly Elections’

By LokMarg

Kamal Bhargava, a lawyer and political observer, says election results of five state assemblies will have little bearing on the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. His views:

It can be said that the Lok Sabha polls in 2024 will decide the direction of the country for the next many years. To some extent, it is believed that assembly elections are the gateway to the parliamentary elections, even though issues in the parliamentary and assembly elections are altogether different. Hence, the outcome in five states where elections are on the cards will surely set both the mood and the tone for the general elections.

The opposition today claims that BJP may face defeat in the 2024 polls as its popularity is going down in several states. However, there have been instances when the party in governance at the Centre got defeated in state elections but performed well in parliamentary election thereafter. With the country on the verge of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, political parties are leaving no stone unturned in claiming their stake in forming the next government.

After two terms, the Modi-led Bhartiya Janta Party is trying their level best for a hat trick, with Modi eyeing to level the record of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Meanwhile the Opposition is busy in forming an alliance I.N.D.I.A. to keep BJP in abeyance.

While completing nine years in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had via a tweet “to keep working even harder”. This could be a growing worry in the BJP for the 2024 general election as one could once again sense “total dependence” on Brand Modi that might not work in forthcoming state polls. Many a time, even Modi has advised its present MPs to depend more on their individual work rather then repeatedly relying on ‘Brand Modi’.

ALSO READ: ‘Assembly Elections Do Not Augur Well For BJP’

But here what matters is, issues like unemployment, price rise, communal disharmony, and steps for the welfare of women and farmers. And to some extent the opposition is trying to catch up with these issues too. One fear of the ruling party pertains to using government machinery like CBI and ED in getting political personalities behind bars.

Modi is known for bold and indifferent decisions. Be it Triple Talaq, repealing of Article 370, One nation, one Election, Women Empowerment Bill — he knows the pulse of a common man. He has taken the country and its politics to a different level having one of the largest fan following across the globe. By the time the opposition thinks of countering the government, something new and different is already on the floor. BJP has been working on different notes. But when it comes to development no doubt one can count on different aspects. Be it the new laws, repealing the age-old ones or construction of highways, connectivity, law and order, etc. For the people of North, the biggest gift one could get is the road and rail connectivity. Reaching NCR in just one hour was a dream. But BJP made it possible.

The saffron party is still in a strong position with regard to the 2024 general elections. At any point of time, BJP’s biggest strength is its organizational strength and management. Its minutest and both micro and macro planning gives it an edge over other political parties. For the opposition, it is an uphill battle at all levels. None stands to his stature. But to some extent one can see signs of a quiet worry setting in, in the BJP with I.N.D.I.A. struggling hard for a comeback.

As told to Deepa Gupta

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