The Presidential Polls Will be Interesting, Especially the Opposition Moves!

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  • As you are aware, the Indian presidential poll is due in July 2022 and every political enthusiast would be watching what it portends for the future plans of the parties attempting to further establish the entity’s credentials. As can be seen, the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party is in a pretty commendable position vis-à-vis ensuring its candidate passes the muster.  However, every enthusiast’s eyes will be on the opposition ranks and their moves to counter the ruling dispensation at the center.  Now, the Indian citizens are quite aware of the dynamics involving political parties and their Machiavellian maneuvers to not only stay relevant but also make every effort to position as no less than a gamechanger.

PC: HT News Desk

  • This particular year also assumes importance and may prove to be a precursor of sorts for the ensuing general elections scheduled in 2024. This being the case, the stage appears to be set for interesting politics.  As numbers suggest, the BJP-led NDA is just short of the 50% threshold in the electoral college (all MLAs, MPs vote, and each vote have a value, with bigger states’ votes being more valuable, all MPs’ votes have equal value).  Of course, this time Jammu & Kashmir has no assembly as of now and won’t have MLAs to vote.  Thus, the electoral college will be marginally smaller as compared to the previous presidential election.  If regional parties like BJD and YSR Congress vote with NDA, it’s odds-on that the governing party at the Centre should be able to get its nominee elected.  But that doesn’t make the July 18 contest insipid anyway.
  • Of course, who BJP’s leadership picks as its nominee will be a study of the party’s political strategy. We know picking the incumbent Ram Nath Kovind in 2017 was a Dalit outreach.  Some social groups and regions need BJP’s attention.  They will be possible factors in the decision.  Equally interesting is whether NDA allies, JD(U) and AIADMK, will need cosseting, and whether YSR Congress and BJD will become targets of Opposition wooing.  As is its wont, the Opposition game will be even more interesting.  Practically, a weakened Congress’s word may not be the most important one in picking a combined Opposition candidate.  This is the reality the Gandhi Family must accept by ceding ground to disparate opposition / regional parties.

PC: Devesh Kumar

  • There are too many Opposition leaders who would want to be in the limelight with an eye on the general elections.  Therefore, don’t be surprised if the presidential poll will eventually turn out to be a dress rehearsal for 2024 opposition efforts.  Even though the president is a Constitutional and ceremonial post, the president’s office remains important because it potentially is an institution of appeal in a hotly contested federal system.  Several past presidents have essayed a crucial role when it mattered most.  Mind you, the incoming president will be in office when the 2024 polls happen and depending on how those results pan out, the republic’s first office may become interesting.  Indeed, interesting time ahead.

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Krishna MV
Krishna is a Post Graduate with specialization in English Literature and Human Resource Management, respectively. Having served the Indian Air Force with distinction for 16 years, Armed Forces background definitely played a very major role in shaping as to who & what he is right now. Presently, he is employed as The Administrator of a well known educational institute in Bangalore. He is passionate about sharing thoughts by writing articles on the current affairs / topics with insightful dissection and offering counter / alternate views thrown in for good measure. Also, passionate about Cricket, Music – especially vintage Kannada & Hindi film songs, reading – non-fictional & Self-Help Books, and of course, fitness without compromising on the culinary pleasures.