Election campaign is over and results are out for Indian democracy. With a massive victory BJP is over joyous and why not , 303 seats are even beyond its expectations .At the same time this election has produced disastrous outcome for many Indian Political Parties especially for the Congress Party .With 52 seats in the Parliament and being wiped out in 18 States, Congress Party is passing through its worst time, because it's President has been defeated in Amethi which happened to be a strong hold for the party for decades .
Similarly the Communist party in India is also under semblance or its darkest hour of politics. Similarly parties like Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are also bewildered at the results .So question is logical how much Indian voters are matured even after 60 years of democratic accountability. Why did I use the word Democratic Accountability because voters are equally responsible for whatever had happened in India. Their political wisdom is tested once in every 5 years barring some exceptions .It has been seen that often people in India voted in favour of a political party in such a way that opposition was virtually finished. It often gives rise to political dictatorship as it happened during the period 1971-75 and led to declaration of Emergency in 1975. Similarly in 1984 people have voted to Rajeev Gandhi with 415 seats and it burst like a balloon in just 5 years with so many scandals .We need to analyse why had it happened in the past and why are people still voting in same pattern in 2019.It must be remembered that democracy needs opposition for its fair and fruitful functioning. Therefore it may be concluded that in India voters are not still matured enough to vote for a party on issue based agenda .Both in South and North India, there is a practice of Hero worship and people are often misled by propaganda created by a party.
As if in the election of 2019 voting has not taken place on major issues like condition of the economy, unemployment, rising Fiscal Deficit caused due to increased government expenditure, condition of core sector of the economy, rising NPA of the public sector banks. Rather voting took place on many non issue things like nationalism, Balakot strike, Hindu Muslim division and Raffel.
Neither opposition parties were able to present these issues in their election manifesto and during their compaign they were easily trapped on agenda set by BJP. This is pathetic and deplorable state of affairs in politics. Time and again in every phase of the election BJP kept on shifting its goal post and opposition parties failed to fight election on national issues. Chowkidar chor hai actually boomeranged and dealt severe blow to the Congress election strategy. Narratives for the election were set by BJP and other political parties couldn't pose any threat to it as it's agenda of Nationalism based on Hindutwa ideology has affected Indian youth like a hysteria. Before Phulwama and Surgical strike there was no big difference in popularity graph between Modiand Rahul Gandhi but again opposition parties have made a blunder by questioning surgical strike. Both Modi and BJP knew it that political parties especially congress will commit a political suicide and the way its leaders have forwarded their arguments is deplorable. It shows political bankruptcy in congress. Neither it was able to win minorities nor Hindus and in confusion it kept on experimenting with the Raffel scandal.
As regards to formation of Grand Alliance of SP ,BSP and RLD ,it was the worst product that UP could have seen. Historically it has been found that the BSP voters never shifted their votes to any other party. Therefore it was a foolish decision on the part of Akhilesh Yadav to go for alliance with BSP. Results are more than the proof of this historical theory. And by not inviting Congress Party in it was one of the biggest political blunder that gave easy way out to BJP. Similarly in Bihar Congress Party allies like RJD and other parties have done more damage than the benefits for Congress Party. At the same time since 2014 BJP kept on analysing 120 seats where margin of defeat was less and appointed its Pankaj Pramukh at each booth to win atleast 30 to 45 thousands new supporters. Further there is no denial to the fact that this election was fought on strong Hindutwa ideology. Speeches of various leaders in various States need to be examined but more than that is the undercurrent that divided people on religious grounds on the ground of Ali and Bajrangbali .
STATE OF THE CONGRESS PARTY AND ITS FUTURE:
Congress Party was formed in 1885 and throughout the freedom struggle it was a symbol of Nationalism and Secularism and as a result post independence era was dominated by it. Political parties in front of congress were no way in a position to challenge it but most of challenges to the party came from within. So I would like to analyse history of Indian election in 4 parts.
1.NEHRU ERA: 1947-1962 During post independence era there was no big challenge to the Congress Party and popularity of Nehru was so commanding that other political parties couldn't pose any threat. With 3 massive victories in Parliamentay elections, Nehru was undisputed champion but soon after his death in 1962, there was a political fight inside the party led by Kamraj and Morar Ji Desai groups and for a brief period once again Congress Party came under Nehru family control when it was decided in two fractions Congress U and Congress I.Voters during this period mainly voted emotional grounds and Indian democracy was basically under one party rule. For good or bad they blindly supported Congress Party policies and programme .Despite growing dissatisfaction, there was no viable alternative and hence Congress never faced any big challenge.
2.Indira Gandhi Era 1967-1984
During this period charismatic personality of Indira Gandhi was so dominant that in her first phase of rule she was unchallenged and undisputed leader of Indian masses.With a victory in 1971Pakistan war, she emerged as a big personality with 353 seats in the Parliamentary elections .It was a period when politics of principle was substituted with politics of popularity.Various types of manipulations and political manoeuvring were used during the election time. However during Indira Gandhi rule power has corrupted political thinking process also and people remember this period for Emergency of 1975 than anything else. She was ousted from power due to a Grand Political Formation known as Janata Party which was very short lived. Congress was backed in power in 1980 but Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 and once again a political experiment with Rajiv Gandhi was made which was not so successful .And after his unfortunate death in 1990,there was an experiment with non Gandhi family congress leadership under P.V.Narsimha Rao as PM and Sita Ram Keshari as Congress President. During this period the Congress Party has seen many political conspiracy theories and power manoeuvring. Finally once again Sonia Gandhi took over its charge which led to once again division of the Congress Party.
3.Sonia Gandhi Era:
After taking control of congress party in 1996,Sonia Gandhi tried to rebuild it but by this time support base of congress has shrunk badly, so in the election of 2004 it was able to win only 142 seats but UPA formed the government with its allies. Party continue in power despite many constraints for 5 years and it was able to win next election in 2009 also.It was this period of rule that has caused irreparable damage to the party and under able leadership of Narender Modi ,BJP has won 286 seats and left Congress Party with 44 seats with its worst time.
4.Rahul Gandhi Era:
With growing demand for promoting Rahul Gandhi as President ,he was given charge of Congress Party. Except for election in 3 States Chatisgarh, MP and Rajsthan, there is nothing to remember about his period and finally election results of 2019,Congress party is under semblance. The Party was able to win only 52 seats and what is more surprising that it has performed worst in many of its ruled States like MP,Rajsthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka. If there was no such performance in Punjab and Kerala, the Congress Party was on virtual end.Continuous decreasing base in UP and Bihar is a matter of serious concern as it has almost lost its majority of cadre and traditional vote bank. And why not as Rahul Gandhi as President failed to organise party in these two States. Most of old leaders had either shifted their loyalty to some other parties or become dormant in state politics. What is even worse that in many district its units are non existent .
To save its face Priyanka Gandhi entered into full-fledged politics but that was too late for the party. It was able to win only one seat of Sonia Gandhi.
There are several reasons for contraction of the Congress Party --
1.Poor leadership at the top .Most of CWC leaders lack public exposure and public connection.
2.Causal approach of Rahul Gandhi as President. He seems to be a leader without vision. His core team comprises of those people who have not faced election .
3.Falling and virtually finished organisational structure in many States like UP and Bihar.
4.Lack of second ranked leaders in the party.
5.Part time politics theory of Rahul Gandhi.
6.Lack of booth level workers in most of the states which led to lack of attachment to party ideology.
7.No government in UP and Bihar for more than 23 years. It discouraged party workers to remain loyal.
8.Most of old supporters have either shifted their loyalty to some other parties or become dormant.
SP and BSP FUTURE:
Both these parties have lost most of their traditional vote bank and are struggling with various types of contradictions. SP was defeated in its strong hold areas where as BSP was able to win a part of its Jatav vote bank.
Now even during the forthcoming Assembly elections it will be difficult for them to revive their party cadres.
Similarly the Communist party in India is also under semblance or its darkest hour of politics. Similarly parties like Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are also bewildered at the results .So question is logical how much Indian voters are matured even after 60 years of democratic accountability. Why did I use the word Democratic Accountability because voters are equally responsible for whatever had happened in India. Their political wisdom is tested once in every 5 years barring some exceptions .It has been seen that often people in India voted in favour of a political party in such a way that opposition was virtually finished. It often gives rise to political dictatorship as it happened during the period 1971-75 and led to declaration of Emergency in 1975. Similarly in 1984 people have voted to Rajeev Gandhi with 415 seats and it burst like a balloon in just 5 years with so many scandals .We need to analyse why had it happened in the past and why are people still voting in same pattern in 2019.It must be remembered that democracy needs opposition for its fair and fruitful functioning. Therefore it may be concluded that in India voters are not still matured enough to vote for a party on issue based agenda .Both in South and North India, there is a practice of Hero worship and people are often misled by propaganda created by a party.
As if in the election of 2019 voting has not taken place on major issues like condition of the economy, unemployment, rising Fiscal Deficit caused due to increased government expenditure, condition of core sector of the economy, rising NPA of the public sector banks. Rather voting took place on many non issue things like nationalism, Balakot strike, Hindu Muslim division and Raffel.
Neither opposition parties were able to present these issues in their election manifesto and during their compaign they were easily trapped on agenda set by BJP. This is pathetic and deplorable state of affairs in politics. Time and again in every phase of the election BJP kept on shifting its goal post and opposition parties failed to fight election on national issues. Chowkidar chor hai actually boomeranged and dealt severe blow to the Congress election strategy. Narratives for the election were set by BJP and other political parties couldn't pose any threat to it as it's agenda of Nationalism based on Hindutwa ideology has affected Indian youth like a hysteria. Before Phulwama and Surgical strike there was no big difference in popularity graph between Modiand Rahul Gandhi but again opposition parties have made a blunder by questioning surgical strike. Both Modi and BJP knew it that political parties especially congress will commit a political suicide and the way its leaders have forwarded their arguments is deplorable. It shows political bankruptcy in congress. Neither it was able to win minorities nor Hindus and in confusion it kept on experimenting with the Raffel scandal.
As regards to formation of Grand Alliance of SP ,BSP and RLD ,it was the worst product that UP could have seen. Historically it has been found that the BSP voters never shifted their votes to any other party. Therefore it was a foolish decision on the part of Akhilesh Yadav to go for alliance with BSP. Results are more than the proof of this historical theory. And by not inviting Congress Party in it was one of the biggest political blunder that gave easy way out to BJP. Similarly in Bihar Congress Party allies like RJD and other parties have done more damage than the benefits for Congress Party. At the same time since 2014 BJP kept on analysing 120 seats where margin of defeat was less and appointed its Pankaj Pramukh at each booth to win atleast 30 to 45 thousands new supporters. Further there is no denial to the fact that this election was fought on strong Hindutwa ideology. Speeches of various leaders in various States need to be examined but more than that is the undercurrent that divided people on religious grounds on the ground of Ali and Bajrangbali .
STATE OF THE CONGRESS PARTY AND ITS FUTURE:
Congress Party was formed in 1885 and throughout the freedom struggle it was a symbol of Nationalism and Secularism and as a result post independence era was dominated by it. Political parties in front of congress were no way in a position to challenge it but most of challenges to the party came from within. So I would like to analyse history of Indian election in 4 parts.
1.NEHRU ERA: 1947-1962 During post independence era there was no big challenge to the Congress Party and popularity of Nehru was so commanding that other political parties couldn't pose any threat. With 3 massive victories in Parliamentay elections, Nehru was undisputed champion but soon after his death in 1962, there was a political fight inside the party led by Kamraj and Morar Ji Desai groups and for a brief period once again Congress Party came under Nehru family control when it was decided in two fractions Congress U and Congress I.Voters during this period mainly voted emotional grounds and Indian democracy was basically under one party rule. For good or bad they blindly supported Congress Party policies and programme .Despite growing dissatisfaction, there was no viable alternative and hence Congress never faced any big challenge.
2.Indira Gandhi Era 1967-1984
During this period charismatic personality of Indira Gandhi was so dominant that in her first phase of rule she was unchallenged and undisputed leader of Indian masses.With a victory in 1971Pakistan war, she emerged as a big personality with 353 seats in the Parliamentary elections .It was a period when politics of principle was substituted with politics of popularity.Various types of manipulations and political manoeuvring were used during the election time. However during Indira Gandhi rule power has corrupted political thinking process also and people remember this period for Emergency of 1975 than anything else. She was ousted from power due to a Grand Political Formation known as Janata Party which was very short lived. Congress was backed in power in 1980 but Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 and once again a political experiment with Rajiv Gandhi was made which was not so successful .And after his unfortunate death in 1990,there was an experiment with non Gandhi family congress leadership under P.V.Narsimha Rao as PM and Sita Ram Keshari as Congress President. During this period the Congress Party has seen many political conspiracy theories and power manoeuvring. Finally once again Sonia Gandhi took over its charge which led to once again division of the Congress Party.
3.Sonia Gandhi Era:
After taking control of congress party in 1996,Sonia Gandhi tried to rebuild it but by this time support base of congress has shrunk badly, so in the election of 2004 it was able to win only 142 seats but UPA formed the government with its allies. Party continue in power despite many constraints for 5 years and it was able to win next election in 2009 also.It was this period of rule that has caused irreparable damage to the party and under able leadership of Narender Modi ,BJP has won 286 seats and left Congress Party with 44 seats with its worst time.
4.Rahul Gandhi Era:
With growing demand for promoting Rahul Gandhi as President ,he was given charge of Congress Party. Except for election in 3 States Chatisgarh, MP and Rajsthan, there is nothing to remember about his period and finally election results of 2019,Congress party is under semblance. The Party was able to win only 52 seats and what is more surprising that it has performed worst in many of its ruled States like MP,Rajsthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka. If there was no such performance in Punjab and Kerala, the Congress Party was on virtual end.Continuous decreasing base in UP and Bihar is a matter of serious concern as it has almost lost its majority of cadre and traditional vote bank. And why not as Rahul Gandhi as President failed to organise party in these two States. Most of old leaders had either shifted their loyalty to some other parties or become dormant in state politics. What is even worse that in many district its units are non existent .
To save its face Priyanka Gandhi entered into full-fledged politics but that was too late for the party. It was able to win only one seat of Sonia Gandhi.
There are several reasons for contraction of the Congress Party --
1.Poor leadership at the top .Most of CWC leaders lack public exposure and public connection.
2.Causal approach of Rahul Gandhi as President. He seems to be a leader without vision. His core team comprises of those people who have not faced election .
3.Falling and virtually finished organisational structure in many States like UP and Bihar.
4.Lack of second ranked leaders in the party.
5.Part time politics theory of Rahul Gandhi.
6.Lack of booth level workers in most of the states which led to lack of attachment to party ideology.
7.No government in UP and Bihar for more than 23 years. It discouraged party workers to remain loyal.
8.Most of old supporters have either shifted their loyalty to some other parties or become dormant.
SP and BSP FUTURE:
Both these parties have lost most of their traditional vote bank and are struggling with various types of contradictions. SP was defeated in its strong hold areas where as BSP was able to win a part of its Jatav vote bank.
Now even during the forthcoming Assembly elections it will be difficult for them to revive their party cadres.
