- As you read this article, the fifth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be behind us. The first four phases have shown almost a similar percentage of voting to the previous Lok Sabha polls. This comes despite tremendous efforts from all the stakeholders viz. the Election Commission of India, political parties, civil society members, and the concerned citizens urging the eligible voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Going by the look of things, those efforts have succeeded little in pushing the eligible voters to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights in choosing elected representatives. What could be the reason for the continued apathy shown by the voters, especially in the urban centers where the polling has been poor?
PC: CivilsDaily
- Is it because the voters are cynical of the unchanging political narrative being dished out over the years? Is it because the voters are fatigued from the political class who seem to talk more rather than espouse and deliver what the aspirational society expects? Is it because the voters assume that the present dispensation at the Centre would be blessed with a third successive term? Or is it simply because there are no new narratives that would excite the voters to go out in large numbers to bless the elected representatives? There are questions galore here that would remain unanswered for various reasons. What is more palpable is the same old communal versus secular narrative getting even more prominence during the ongoing electioneering. This hasn’t changed.
- For common citizens, the only narrative that should have mattered the most is nothing but development and growth allowing us to lead a dignified life. Unfortunately, the Indian political scenario is not simple because of the preeminent presence of the labyrinthine caste equations defining every step of the process. Quotas, reservations, community-specific welfare schemes, appeasement politics, and caste cards are some of the most defining planks that all political parties, irrespective of ideologies, utilize during election times. These are on full display in the ongoing polling too. Remember, in the past two Lok Sabha polls, the ruling dispensation at the Centre had strong national issues to sway the voters.
PC: Mint
- However, this time around, the confident BJP-led NDA has gone to the voters with the report card of ten years showcasing how the country has progressed vis-à-vis GDP growth on the back of huge infrastructure developments. Is it enough to impress upon the voters to shower blessing yet again on the saffron brigade? Very early to guess. Since the opposition INDI alliance is a conglomeration of diverse political parties with varied interests, the citizens may still prefer to bless the most charismatic, popular, and acceptable face of the Indian political scenario – Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mind you, it’s extremely challenging to arrive at any conclusion as to which way the political wind is blowing. But the BJP-led NDA has its nose ahead for sure. Let’s wait.
