While the BJP-led NDA is expected to gain power at the Centre with a promise to bring in a new era of inclusive development in the country, for the aspiring youth of the nation one question remains — what is in store for them if they catch the Modi wave
Indian general elections have always drawn the world’s attention because of its mammoth nature and zeal among voters. However, the election for the 16th lok Sabha is unique as a huge turnout has bucked the global trend in other democracies across the world where mass participation is on the slide. While high polling percentage is an authentic indicator of people’s belief in the possibility of improving governance that affects their day-to-day life as well as their future, it can also be a last desperate attempt of the disenchanted citizens to get rid of the misgovernance.
Need for change
The Congress-led UPA-I and UPA-II not only frittered away 10 years of opportunity given to them to change the face of India, it also played with the nature of our deliberative democracy by turning a deaf ear to citizens’ concerns. There are plenty of examples. The most recent are UPA-II’s high-handedness to push for anti-federal measures like the Communal Violence Bill and National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). Interestingly, although on its last legs, the government passed the lokpal Bill; it had shown utter disdain for the Anna-led civil society initiative, which had attracted widespread support from the public for a strong anti-corruption law. The arrogance of the government machinery that disregarded the time-tested rules of getting legitimacy to govern through debates and discussions involving all stakeholders, including the Opposition and civil society, has dug its own grave.
The bloated ego of the ruling party gave birth to an unexpected new phenomenon called Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national Capital. Unfortunately, the polar difference between the promised Aam Aadmi phenomenon and the party has taken the shine off the AAP as it failed to deliver on its promises to the common man.
For the aam aadmi, there are five major areas of concerns which determine their perception about the regime and their support for a successor. The first concern is economy, followed by corruption, bad governance, communalism, and at last national pride. The Congress has failed on each count, and its failure has enormous contribution to the rise of the “tea boy” of Gujarat.
An intelligent assessment of the body language of Congress leaders indicates that they have conceded defeat even before the result of 16th lok Sabha polls is out. Even earlier, it was visible during the campaign for the December 4 Assembly election in Delhi, when the Central leadership of the Congress had left Sheila Dikshit in the lurch. None of the big leaders were seen canvassing for the Congress candidates in the national Capital. This general election too, many veteran leaders of the Congress have run away from electoral battle to escape the embarrassment of their imminent loss.
Now, when it has dawned on it that its future is bleak, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to upset Modi’s apple cart. The party tried to invoke the memory of the 2002 riots, but voters who are looking ahead for a better future seem to have refused to indulge in their divisive politics, which rests on creating the bogey of Hindu nationalism and minority appeasement.
Hindus by nature are the most plural community. Moreover, the alleged claim of militant Hinduism is neither supported by any of the thousand sacred texts nor by the modern citizens who willingly conform to the secular laws of the country. Considering the fact that 80% of voters are Hindus, even if only half of them vote along religious lines, it will be enough to give absolute majority to any party. But this didn’t happen even after the so-called polarisation following the December 6 incident of Ayodhya.
Why Modi shows hopeIJ
Since the liberlisation didn’t have much impact on Indian middle class in the first decade, the Congress’ offer of subsidies and reservation had strong appeal among the masses. But the scene has changed now. India’s middle class is soaring in size. They are richer and confident than they were a decade ago. For them, economic wellbeing is the first and foremost concern. With his Gujarat model, Modi has emerged as a hero for the middle class. This consumer class is looking for smaller government, encouraging private sector and faster growth that pale government subsidies in comparison.
Modi’s promise of 100 smart cities across India and IITs, IIMs and AIIMS in every State is a revolutionary idea. It will not only curb the compulsion of migration to mega cities for jobs, but will help create infrastructure development and employment near villages. Modi is clear in his vision. And therefore, those who seek to express pride in calling India a country of villages, albeit poor villages, there is a message. He has said that urbanisation will not be the bane of Indians’ life but an opportunity to create facilities for all, particularly the poor.
On the global platform too, India’s stature will rise under the BJP. This was visible during the NDA Government’s will to go ahead with Smiling Buddha to gain the tag of a nuclear nation.
Although the common Indian is not a jingoist, there is proclivity among informed citizens to feel proud of his belongingness. For the most plural country like ours, the common national identity can’t be religion or a particular culture, but peaceful coexistence and liberty to feel proud of one’s distinctive identity without any discrimination or appeasement.
But then the rightwing government can’t sit idle like the Congress-led UPA-II did in the tragic event of the Pakistan Army barging into Indian territory to barbarically behead our soldiers. That trauma had not only hit the morale of the military, but also disheartened Indians for whom soldiers are the primary unit of nationalism.
Now, world powers have already started coming to terms with reality. The EU countries were more prudent in gauging the changing mood of Indian voters and started approaching Modi ahead of the elections. Now US think tanks and the Obama Administration are pulling out all the stops to improve relations with the BJP and Narendra Modi. The sudden resignation of the then US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell, shows the US desperation.
However, there is contradiction in Pakistan’s thinking about Modi. While one section, particularly the business class, is hopeful, the other is raising the bogey of anti-Muslim sentiment. The ruling class is more anxious now as they will have to deal with a stronger India.
Overall, the BJP under the leadership of Modi has promised to make the masses more prosperous and proud of being Indians. Now, it is up to the BJP to prove they can deliver too.
Democracy has strange rules for strange fellows. If the government does not learn from its arrogant predecessor, the voters will either lose confidence in the democratic system or vote it out. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the new government to understand the power of the informed citizens and deliver to their promises. Modi has his task cut out. He has to prove his model has solution to the problems of India’s population, particularly the aspiring youth.
(The writer is News Editor & Associate Editor, The Pioneer)