After a long time Bharat has seen so much political upheaval in a non-election season with Nitish Kumar breaking his ties with Lalu Prasad Yadav apparently over the corruption charges against the Yadav family. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo is a seasoned politician and will not give up so early. The real question is why Nitish was forced to break the alliance which he had stitched with a huge risk over the issue of ‘Narendra Modi’ as Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate. Some may dub it as political opportunism. The real answer lies in changing paradigm shift in national politics which Congress and RJD are not ready to accept.
If we get back to Bihar elections, the Mahagatabandhan (Grand Alliance) was formed by Janata Dal (U), RJD and Congress on the issue of ‘secularism and social justice’. The Left-Liberal’ intellectual brigade, thriving on these terms and shattered by the results of 2014 General Elections, also supported this move by orchestrating Award Wapsi. After decisively routing the BJP in Bihar with a political arithmetic, this victory was considered as a certificate for the ‘Secular-Social Justice’ Politics and a role model for opposition unity. That narrative is shattered now.
The feedback on demonetisation from the ground was clearly heard by Nitish Kumar and responded with a first ever praise to the Modi-led Union government. The surgical strikes further created a rupture in the Grand Alliance. The results of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election was a watershed moment in this process of break up. It was a clear message that the age-old politics of caste mobilisation and communal politics in the name of secularism lost its appeal among electorates. The recent Presidential Election gave a last dent to the narrative of 1990s. The election of BJP candidate as the President from a SC community is a huge message to negate the outdated politics of backward caste mobilisation.
People have realised that secularism is used more as a tool to incite communal sentiments and protect the criminal elements. The Shahabuddin connection of Lalu exposed this fact. The recent revelations by a news channel on UPA’s creation of ‘Saffron Terror Theory’ further strengthened the popular perceptions about the fake principles of secularism.
On the other hand, whether in UP or Bihar, social justice has its own relevance but cannot be a cover for corruption and dynastic politics. In case of both, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav, grave corruption charges and promotion of family interests in the name of backwardness have created doubts over very intent of their politics.
The secular-communal or forward-backward was a big currency in 1990s, which is no longer true with 21st century Bharat. The victimhood approach and then exploiting the sentiments for furthering self-interests is no longer acceptable to the people. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav are not ready to accept this fact. Nitish perhaps, does.
In any democracy, credible and strong opposition is a necessity. Unfortunately in our national polity, the opposition is stuck with negative mindset and not ready to construct a new paradigm for changing Bharat. The aspiring youth look for clean governance and inclusive development and at present Modi led political formulation looks committed to provide that. In 2019, if the opposition really wants to challenge this popular perception, then they will have to look for leadership beyond the dynastic-corrupt tag, who will be able to construct a positive agenda for governance.
@PrafullaKetkar
