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Paradigm shift in Indian politics |
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With a resurgent Congress reaching out to a subdued BJP, the stage is set for new equations to emerge in Indian politics.
The Congress is aware that though it has come up on top in the Lok Sabha elections, it is still not in a position to implement its agenda without the support of other parties. The question is whose support it should seek - of the allies, which left it before the elections, such as the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left, or the opposition BJP, which failed in its bid to regain power after a gap of five years.
The BJP, on its part, is well aware that its Hindutva agenda has not worked in the elections. The voters have not favoured either the overt or covert attempts to arouse communal passions. This is shown by the fact that Varun Gandhi's hate speeches did not help the BJP to regain lost ground in Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, though Varun and his mother, Maneka Gandhi won, the BJP was pushed to the fourth place in the state behind the Samajwadi Party, the Congress and the BSP,in that order.
Though the Lok Sabha elections have been a vote for inclusive politics and governance, the people have not favoured the BJP tactic of running with the hare and hunting with the hound. They have seen through the shallow approach of mouthing platitudes extolling secularism, and at the same time, ignoring Varun Gandhi's virulent utterances and turning a blind eye to episodes like Kandhamal and Mangalore in states ruled by the party and its allies.
The BJP has still not fully grasped the extent of its defeat in the general elections. It is still trying to come to terms with a scenario, where even its allies like the Janata Dal United are blaming its approach for the National Democratic Alliance's poll debacle. Even the Akali Dal is faulting the BJP.
When the BJP introspects further, and especially when it is able to choose a successor to Lal Krishan Advani, its prime ministerial hopeful in the elections, the party would perhaps realise that it is not possible to be chosen to rule a country like India with wide diversities in terms of religions, languages and cultures, without following an inclusive approach, which respects the aspirations of all segments of society to live with dignity, sharing equitably the fruits of the country's progress. You cannot demolish the Babri Masjid and still hope to get the support of the minorities, which account for a sizeable chunk of the electorate.
The Congress and perhaps even a section of the BJP realises that they share a common perception on many issues. So far as the economy and foreign policy issues are concerned, there is very little to choose between the two parties. The BJP opposed the Indo-US civil nuclear deal but it was basically a case of opposition for opposition's sake. As American interlocutors repeatedly said at the time, the Vajpayee led NDA government would have been happy to sign a deal even less favourable to India during its years in office, had it got the offer.
So far as the economy is concerned, both the Congress and the BJP are in favour of liberalisation.
Come to think of it, the two parties could be allies at least to a limited extent, if the BJP could give up its Hindutva brand of nationalism.
Actually, there are more things which divide the Congress and the Left-third front constituents than the Congress and the BJP. The Left is opposed to economic liberalisation, though it has no alternative policy framework to offer. And, for reasons of its own, the Left is opposed to building a strategic partnership with the United States, though without that, India cannot occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations, or join the league of big powers. Co-incidentally, the Left approach in the matter is in consonance with the line of China at the international level - keep India tied down to South Asia by encouraging and building up Pakistan.
Thankfully, even a section of the Left is now realising that its withdrawal of support to the Congress-led UPA government on the nuclear deal issue did not endear it to the voters. CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan's recent remarks in this regard are indicative of the pervading uneasiness with CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat's hard line approach.
Signals of the Congress trying to reach out to the BJP are evident from the smooth way in which the Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker's selection has been handled. Significantly, it is the Left, which has been complaining now of being ignored in the consultations to select the Lok Sabha presiding officers.
The Congress realises that if it reaches out to the BJP, when it is down in the dumps, it would be better able to carry out its economic and foreign policy agenda. If the BJP responds in kind, keeping in mind the national interest, it would be good for the country.
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