- The Indian political scenario is an amalgamation of events, features, combinations, permutations, and calculations very hard to define in simple terms. Many an expert has had to eat humble pie when their projections were proved to be contrasting in the end as results at the hustings can be highly unpredictable. Of course, every election undertaken in the country is unique and fought on diverse issues largely based on enticements, inducements, and promises galore brought out in the manifesto detailing the same. Most importantly, the caste conundrum prevalent in the country forces all the parties to keep influential castes in mind before finalizing candidatures.
PC: Rohan Venkataramakrishnan
- Ever since the nation gained independence, and the subsequent elections held – both the Parliamentary as well as State Assemblies – have compelled various political parties at the national and regional level to choose candidates based on the complex caste equations. Not only the candidates, but even the manifestos are also prepared to keep in mind the intricate caste calculations to impress upon those blocks of people to back them. No wonder, there are any number of categories of caste classified reservations earmarked for the government jobs and education for the marginal and deprived. Promised fulfilled, you see.
- Astonishingly, this practice continues to this day despite the overwhelming developments and advancements that speak volumes about the indispensability of castes as an important factor deciding the fortunes of political parties. Post-Independence provided enough opportunities for many parties, including the Grand Old Party of India i.e. Indian National Congress, leaving no stone unturned in wooing the minority community, especially the Muslims. Once the Bharatiya Janata Party rode to prominence on the back of an unabashed claim to the legacy of representing the Hindutva brigade, there was no stopping the polarization of the polity consequently.
PC:
- As the BJP expanded its footprints from the hitherto confined Hindi heartland to other parts of the country majorly riding on the Hindutva plank, the Congress found itself relegated to essaying supporting role to many a regional party having ceded ground. To garner support from the fast depleting supporters amongst the Hindus, the Congress did try to adopt a soft Hindutva approach that only resulted in alienating the steadfast Muslim base who went along with regional satraps promising secular dispositions. Now the term secularism has been so dreadfully abused and harped upon by several parties, including the Congress, it evokes nothing but cynicism all around.
- The situation has come to such a pause now that Congress can neither hold onto secular credentials nor let go off for fear of further offending the increasingly decreasing support base. Appeasement policy so obsessively followed has come to hurt the party now. There is an inherent lesson here to be comprehended by political leaders as appeasement policies irrespective of minority or majority would be squarely rejected. People will understand the language of development, as well as the potential to facilitate aspirations, are met alone. Political failing to read the writing will witness the erosion of support base beyond redemption. Become pragmatic, please!
