Table of Contents
THE CONTEXT: The general election of 2024 is a wondrous moment. The air of hopelessness, the suffocating shadow of authoritarianism, and the vile winds of communalism have lifted, at least for the moment. The NDA may form a government for the third time. This is a significant achievement that should not be underestimated.
THE ISSUES:
- Democratic Erosion and Institutional Degradation: The election highlighted concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the degradation of institutions under the BJP’s rule. Issues such as the misuse of investigative agencies, media control, and the perceived partisanship of the Election Commission were prominent.
- Political Centralization and Resistance: The BJP’s political centralization strategy under Narendra Modi has led to significant resistance. This resistance has often manifested outside traditional democratic institutions, such as street protests and social movements, indicating a shift in how democratic pressures are exerted.
- Electoral Fairness and Legitimacy: Concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, including debates over electronic voting machine (EVM) manipulation and the overall legitimacy of the elections, were significant. These issues contributed to a broader discourse on the need for fair and competitive elections to maintain democratic legitimacy.
- Economic and Livelihood Issues: Voters’ focus on economic and livelihood issues over welfare schemes and free food distribution played a crucial role in the election. The underwhelming results for the BJP reflect a demand for more substantial economic policies and structural transformation.
- Social and Cultural Dynamics: The election results indicate a shift in social and cultural dynamics, particularly the consolidation of a Hindutva identity and the BJP’s attempts to radicalize a significant portion of Hindu society. However, this strategy appears to have reached its limits, with evidence of Dalits and minorities moving towards the INDIA alliance.
- Political Competition and Accountability: The election has restored a finer balance of power between political parties, enhancing political competition and accountability. The emergence of the INDIA alliance as a serious contender has challenged the BJP’s dominance, potentially leading to a more competitive and balanced political landscape.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Reinforce the independence and functionality of democratic institutions such as the judiciary, Election Commission, and media. Ensure the judiciary remains independent by appointing judges through a transparent and merit-based process. Strengthen the Election Commission’s autonomy by insulating it from political influence. Promote media freedom by protecting journalists from harassment and ensuring diverse ownership of media outlets to prevent monopolies.
- Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth: Implement policies that ensure economic growth benefits all sections of society, particularly marginalized groups. Expand and improve welfare programs, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), to provide employment and social security to rural populations. Invest in skill development programs for youth and women, like Germany’s vocational training system, which integrates education with hands-on work experience. Enhance access to microfinance for small businesses and entrepreneurs, modeled after the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which has successfully lifted many out of poverty through small loans.
- Enhancing Political Accountability: Increase transparency and accountability in governance to reduce corruption and improve public trust. Strengthen the RTI Act by ensuring timely responses and protecting whistleblowers, like the Freedom of Information Act in the United States. Implement e-governance initiatives to make government services more accessible and transparent, as seen in Estonia, where digital platforms have streamlined public services and reduced corruption. Regular public audits of government projects and expenditures involving civil society organizations are conducted to ensure accountability, such as the participatory budgeting process in Brazil.
- Fostering Social Cohesion and Reducing Communal Tensions: Promote social harmony and reduce communal tensions through inclusive policies and community engagement. Integrate peace education and communal harmony programs in school curricula, like the peace education initiatives in Northern Ireland that aim to bridge divides between communities. Implement community policing models that build trust between law enforcement and communities, as practiced in Japan, where police officers engage with local communities to prevent crime and resolve conflicts.
- Encouraging Political Pluralism and Coalition Building: Promote a political environment that fosters coalition building and pluralism to ensure diverse representation and balanced governance. Encourage coalition governance by fostering alliances between parties with shared goals, as seen in the coalition governments in the Netherlands, which often require parties to work together and compromise on policies. Strengthen local governance by decentralizing power to state and local governments, like the federal system in Switzerland, where cantons have significant autonomy and decision-making power.
THE CONCLUSION:
This election proves that concentration of power is no panacea for India. But will the new political configuration allow the production of the kind of policy consensus that can create the conditions for national regeneration? This is an open question. But for now, this is a moment to savor the sweet elixir of freedom that greater political competition brings.
UPSC PAST YAER QUESTIONS:
Q.1 The Indian party system is passing through a transition phase full of contradictions and paradoxes. Discuss. 2016
Q.2 Individual Parliamentarians’ role as national lawmakers is declining, which, in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcomes. Discuss. 2019
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Discuss the implications of the 2024 Lok Sabha election on the balance of power, the role of the opposition, and the future of Indian democracy. What are the potential long-term impacts on India’s political and social fabric?
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