Indian National Congress (INC) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), the two major political parties of India represent the two varying ideological strains, which are somewhat mutually opposing and are currently at loggerheads with each other. So far Congress has dominated the Indian polity, but will that continue to happen in future, remains to be seen.
It is said that Congress is the natural party of Indians (and extendedly of Hindus), it has dominated and ruled the country for about 55 years out of the total 64 years of independence. Barring the exception of emergency period,when the experiment of Congress vs all the rest ultimately turned out to be a farce, a boisterous comedy ; and the equally unsuccessful happening of V.P. Singh led Janta Dal government in 1989, which hardly lasted for 10 months, only BJP in post independence India has been able to challenge the might of Congress. NDA led by BJP was first and so far the only non-Congress party/coalition to have completed it’s tenure of five years in office.
Things are more complicated than they look. Right now Congress is in power, since last 7 years, but the recent scandals/scams/massive corruption charges have already tarnished the image of the government and it is doubtful, whether in 2014 Lok sabha elections, Congress would be able to come back to power.
The social base of Congress and BJP differ significantly. While Congress, the left of centre party, is more popular with the poors, minorities, farmers, and people who are on the lower ladder of society ; on the contrary, BJP represents the nationalist upsurge, the need to connect back to the roots, arguably pro-hindu segment of Indian polity. It is strongly supported by the middle class, the traders, the upper castes, the rich and strong Hindus and Indians.
While common logic would imply that Congress is at an advantage, as it’s social base is very wide, and it has been true as well, as it has ruled for so many years. But things have changed over time. After the Ram Janma Boomi movement, BJP has already established itself as the obvious alternative to Congress in much of Northern and Wetern India. BJP is also gaining in South, as is evident from it’s resounding victory in Karnataka elections and in the East, it’s performance has significantly improved in Assam. So it is a growing and expanding party, still young and full of enthusiasm.
BJP is often said to be the party of the middle class, of youngsters, of urban dwellers, of educated people and people with strong nationalist sentiments. Well all of these segments would only grow in the future, so we can say by this straight logic, BJP should have a bright future. Moreover, with economic development and urbanisation as caste ceases to be a factor and Indians more and more see themselves as Indians supported by a glorious culture, they are more likely to be swayed by BJP.
Indian social reality is testimony to the truth that Hindu-Muslim issue has for long bothered Indians. We had the Afghan-Turkish (Muslim) invaion of India in the 11th century AD, the illtreatment of the majority community at the hands of muslim rulers for centuries, partition of the country on communal lines in 1947, and still it is being felt that Pakistan is disturbing India’s peace by terrorist attacks and also formenting communal trouble. Communal problem can never cease in India because of the unambiguous attitude of political Islam. No doubt, common Muslims are not to be blamed for this, but the practices of minority community leaders is bound to impact Hindu-Muslim relations and that will have long term implications.
BJP can never make India a Hindu Rashtra (Not even under VHP duress), as theocracy is alien to Indian religion and traditions. But certainly, India is likely to turn more towards right, as time goes and changes happen. Secularism could be redefined to include cultural glorification and strong stand against terrorism and minority communalism.
These things will necessiate the rise of the BJP, if Congress can, in the long term, take up this challenge and check this trend, only then it can continue to dominate Indian polity. What actually happens, only time will tell.
XXX
THE BATTLE FOR INDIA - A LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE
No comments:
Post a Comment