If Modi gets his next term, he might bring about transformative changes and ambitious plans to navigate India's diverse challenges and opportunities
Elections have resulted in surprises and upsets before. India's stability lies in its ability to transition power smoothly. The verdict is out now and the winner is announced. To fortify its democracy, India requires a stable government and strong Opposition.
After the seven-phase elections, the June 4 results indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely be the next prime minister. The INDIA Bloc, a coalition of regional parties, also competed, but its chances were slim. Election results often surprise. 2004, the U.P.A. formed the government even though the B.J.P.'s "India Shining" campaign did not click. Regardless of the outcome, the winning party and the Opposition bloc will face challenges. Modi has claimed that his last ten years in office have been the appetizer, and the main meal will come in his third term. Modi stated, "Wait for bigger decisions in the third term. I'm already working on a roadmap that will be completed soon."
Modi's aspiration for a third term is not just about securing his legacy across all sectors. It's a daring attempt to surpass Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's three-term record. However, this ambitious pursuit has challenges, including public opinion and internal party dynamics that could significantly influence the political landscape.
While Modi's previous terms have seen significant achievements, his 'Modi 3.0' government will not be without its challenges. These include navigating the post-pandemic recovery, addressing social unrest, managing foreign policy issues, and meeting the diverse expectations of the electorate.
Modi has an unfinished agenda of BJP's core issues. This means implementing a Uniform Civil Code,' one nation-one poll ', propelling India to become the third largest economy and continuing to make essential changes to land and labour policies. Over the past three months, the Modi government has been working on a '125-day plan' for the next phase of governance. Initially, the plan was for 100 days, but it was extended by another 25 days, with a focus on the youth. The agenda is expected to cover 50 to 70 key objectives and will set out the direction and priorities of the new government.t.
Modi might discredit his opponents and potentially break up the Indian coalition, which could significantly change India's political landscape. Modi wants to simultaneously hold all elections in the country, from local to national, which he calls 'one nation, one poll.' This change could make the electoral system more efficient and organized, but it could also concentrate power in the hands of the ruling party and reduce the frequency of elections. Modi has already laid the groundwork for this proposal. A committee under former president Ramnath Kovind's leadership has suggested holding Lok Sabha and all state elections together.
However, the delimitation exercise involves redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies. The decennial census must be completed before that. The delimitation could have significant political implications, especially for the Southern states. An affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court stated that the delimitation is expected to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 888 and Rajya Sabha seats from 250 to 384. Modi has ensured that there will be enough seating in the new Parliament building.
The South's population control policy has led to a decrease in its population, potentially resulting in a loss of at least 100 seats for Southern states in the delimitation process. This could create a North-South divide, causing contention among regional parties in the South.
The BJP is pushing for a Uniform Civil Code applicable to all citizens of India, regardless of religion. Uttarakhand, governed by the BJP, is taking steps to implement it, and other BJP-ruled states will soon follow. However, this raises concerns about potential social disruption and backlash from religious communities.
During the campaign, the Opposition expressed concerns that the B.J.P. might change the Constitution to remove the word 'secular.' A Modi government with a substantial majority could alter the Preamble and eliminate the terms' socialist' and 'secular' added by the 42nd Amendment but that did not happen.
Modi aims to make India the world's third-largest economy through 'Viksit Bharat', prioritizing manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and clean energy. However, funding, implementation, and public acceptance challenges could impact its success and the Indian political landscape. Despite being hamstrung by arrests and other crackdowns, the Opposition mustered its most united front in years. Still, exit polls indicated it could not cut into the BJP 's parliamentary majority. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claims that the Opposition bloc will get more than 272 seats and will choose the PM candidate in 48 hours.
If the Indian coalition manages to form a government despite the odds, it could herald a significant shift in India's political landscape. It would face challenges, such as selecting a Prime Minister and executing its ambitious plans.
(The writer is a popular columnist views are personal)
