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Both the national parties, Congress and the BJP, have moved beyond what they stood for in their ‘original form’ of course but we need a leader that can represent the traditional politics with new-age charisma. Is there a good regional leader that can prove all of that, asks Navodita, our Associate Editor, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.
Forthcoming elections in eight states are going to be the litmus test for both parties and their allies. While Rahul Gandhi has to an extent proved his mettle at the Gujarat election by getting rid of the ‘Pappu’ tag and proving his critics wrong, at least in partially building his team and his leadership within the media. The BJP has to prove it can do well in the south and consolidate its position in the northeast, too, with the regional parties there. Both the national parties have moved beyond what they stood for in their ‘original form’ of course but we need a leader that can represent the traditional politics with new-age charisma. Is there a good regional leader that can prove all of that?
Political equations in Karnataka
Six months ago in BJP tried to play the communal card falling back on its saffron agenda- December witnessed a flurry of political activity with party leaders and affiliated Sangh Parivar activists pushing the Hindutva narrative in Uttara (north) Karnataka, Chikkamagaluru, and Mysuru. In the first week of December, riot police were forced to lathi charge Hindutva activists who turned unruly at the Datta
Wise to the saffron party’s machinations, the ruling Congress is countering the BJP’s Hindutva narrative by showcasing the development achieved by the government. On a month-long campaign, Siddaramaiah has described the BJP programme as ‘empty religious rhetoric’. Eyeing a second-term, the CM told the media, “The people of Karnataka are aware of the actual issues. They want the BJP to talk about the Centre’s anti-poor, anti-farmer policies. The BJP has forgotten that Karnataka has been at the forefront in the nation in attracting investments.” Rahul Gandhi at the same time is working hard to turn things around which have sent ripples within the BJP.
Battleground 2019
The citizens and the youth need to be made aware of the growing hazards and the downside of such large political movements which demand reservation or incite the youth to resort to violence if certain demands are not met. Social movements are required to educate people about using their skills in more constructive ways instead of flowing with leaders that just play the mantra of ‘demand and rule’. There are better ways to make demands to the government. There are more constitutional and ‘peaceful’ ways of demanding equal rights or equal representation which is at par with the upper castes. Such energies should be used more constructively in other pursuits like development, etc.
Rahul Gandhi as the emerging leader, on the other hand, is now turning from ‘the reluctant prince’ to a
What will battleground Karnataka look like? Will the Congress be able to retain the chief ministerial position? Will the issue of development remain at the forefront or will other issues of caste and communalism also flare up their heads? As we find answers to these questions, we can for now watch the political debate unfold as we get closer to the elections.
©Navodita Pande
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