News
Opposition yet to discover means for a fightback
Summary
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a new type of politics to the Indian voter during the last nine-and-a-half years. He has total control of both the party and the government.
It is often assumed that Indian voters have poor memory: When elections come, they forget past voting mistakes. But does the same hold true for politicians? The INDIA bloc seems to exemplify this. Only a few weeks are left for the general elections to be announced, and still they have done little to fix their past mistakes.
Trinamool Congress had recommended naming Mallikarjun Kharge as INDIA convenor at the bloc’s last meeting on 19 December. The TMC felt only Kharge was capable of opposing Narendra Modi. Reasons? He is the leader of the country’s largest political party, and a dalit. He has extensive political and administrative experience and is free of any taint. This “narrative" is also acceptable to the Congress. When Kharge was elected Congress president, there was talk of him also being considered for prime ministership if the party returned to power.
Janata Dal (United) members, though, were outraged that Kharge’s name was being brought up for prime ministership. They say their leader, Nitish Kumar, had taken the initiative to build INDIA and that the bloc’s founding meeting was held in Patna. Nitish ji not only has the ability to be the convener, but should also be the country’s next prime minister, they believe, also considering that he had been chief minister for nearly 19 years, and under his leadership, the backward people and women of Bihar had gained immensely. They also say there is no problem with Kharge, but he has never served as chief minister, and so Nitish has a stronger claim to prime ministership.
Meanwhile, a significant shift has occurred in the internal politics of the JD(U). Nitish Kumar became president of his party, succeeding Lalan Singh. Along with this, many storms have started brewing within the party.
There was talk that Nitish could now switch sides and again join hands with the BJP. Some recalled that before the last general election, too, Nitish had met with Sonia Gandhi and asked that he be declared the prime ministerial candidate. But upon receiving no concrete signal, he established a coalition with the BJP. This is why, as soon as Lalan Singh left, there was a stir in the INDIA bloc. Nitish Kumar’s name was mentioned again for the position of coordinator. It’s possible that he’ll be named coordinator in the following days. There is no doubt that he not only took the initiative but also made sincere efforts to bring INDIA bloc concept to light. His claim to the position of coordinator is unquestionably strong. As far as dalit or non-dalit prime minister is concerned, it does not suit INDIA bloc to work like this. Aside from winning the party election, Kharge has so far disappointed those who supported him.
On the contrary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a new type of politics to the Indian voter during the last nine-and-a-half years. People feel he is the prime minister capable of moving India ahead. He has total control of both the party and the government. There has been no prime minister since Indira Gandhi who has demonstrated such grip over both the party and the administration. Not only that, his management machinery periodically forces the opponent to adopt a defensive strategy. The latest example is the ceremony for the pran-pratishtha (consecration) of Ram lalla’s idol, which will take place in Ayodhya on 22 January.
Organizers of the event have invited all Opposition leaders. The Opposition’s biggest difficulty is that if they attend this ceremony, they would be seen as toeing the BJP line. If they refuse, political efforts to paint them as anti-Hindu will gain traction. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP, on the other hand, have chosen to turn this function into a new campaign. Following the pran-pratishtha on 22 January, special trains would run till 25 March to bring Ram devotees from around the country to Ayodhya. Buses are also being scheduled to cover the 600-kilometre geographical gap. It suggests that efforts are being made to recreate the atmosphere like 1991-1992 throughout the country. There is, nevertheless, a distinction between then and now. Previously, there was a strong sense of struggle among those who made it there; now, there is a sense of accomplishment. Will success be achieved in presenting the mandir as a victory?
INDIA bloc recognized this truth and fact. Its backers anticipate that it will have to create a “counter-narrative". This has not yet occurred. In such a case, the question of whether there is still time left for this is unavoidable.
Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
