- The recently concluded Lok Sabha polls have thrown up some interesting facets that were hitherto missing in the previous two general elections. One of the major outcomes of the concluded poll is the non-emergence of any single party with an absolute majority. Remember, the Bharatiya Janata Party had crossed the majority mark of 272 seats comfortably in the 2014 and 2019 elections, respectively. The BJP-Led NDA had a comfortable majority in the last two elections allowing it to maneuver through some of the tricky laws to implement the same. We are aware of how the governing party without a majority of its own would be at the mercy of allies to push through with certain laws. The smooth passage of bills amply demonstrated the advantage of the majority party.
PC – Times of India – IndiaTimes
- Conversely, the coalition governments have had their share of glory under the sun but that was considered passe since we know how some rather well-intentioned bills were thwarted by the pressure and pulls of running such governments. The BJP failing to garner a majority on its own this time around means the saffron party would be largely reliant on the allies to push through with the intended agenda. Now, the allies in the form of the Telugu Desam Party of Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) of Nitish Kumar will be eager to extract a considerable pound of flesh from the ruling dispensation. Not only that, but the mercurial allies will also be unhesitant in demanding crucial portfolios for extending continued support to the ruling dispensation.
- This is where the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unused to run a coalition government, would be tested while discharging the administration. As such, it can be safely mentioned that the most critical outcome of the Lok Sabha polls is the emergence of regional parties yet again on the national scenario with the lever to navigate the country’s growth trajectory in the next five years. The unexpected spectacular performance of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh must have given a huge fillip to the opposition’s war cry of stopping the saffron juggernaut. Mind you, the SP and BSP of Mayawati were routed in the last elections. Nonetheless, the way SP has managed to emerge as the clear winner by beating the BJP speaks volumes about its resilience.
PC – NDTV
- Likewise, the TDP’s come-from-behind victory is not only spectacular but also reaffirms the fact that no politician or party can be consigned to the backburner for too long. The overwhelming victory of the TDP offers an excellent opportunity for Chandrababu Naidu to press ahead with his development-oriented agenda. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has successfully defended her fort by comprehensively beating the BJP despite the saffron brigade mounting a massive electoral onslaught. Of course, the JD(U) has emerged unscathed to firmly establish its presence alongside the BJP in Bihar. The coalition era is back. Expect the regional satraps to have a major say in the governance of the country.
