Amitayu Sengupta
A
lot is being written about BJP after the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. One
stream of the discussions talks about the national impact of this result, the
probable brakes on the ‘Modi juggernaut’, how AAP is the model for countering
BJP, etc. A more interesting stream of discussion highlights the dilemma of the
present BJP government that has so long been covered up by the euphoria of
‘Modi wave’.
lot is being written about BJP after the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. One
stream of the discussions talks about the national impact of this result, the
probable brakes on the ‘Modi juggernaut’, how AAP is the model for countering
BJP, etc. A more interesting stream of discussion highlights the dilemma of the
present BJP government that has so long been covered up by the euphoria of
‘Modi wave’.
Last
time when the BJP led NDA came to power it was the result of a period of great
political instability in India. The BJP had risen in prominence with the
vitriolic Mandir issue and the
following communal turmoil in the country. However, despite being the single
largest party in 1996, the Vajpayee government had to resign within 13 days as
it could not muster enough support in the Lok Sabha to form a stable government.
A period of two failed United Front Governments paved way for the first BJP led
NDA to power. Ironically, it lasted for only 13 months as AIADMK withdrew
support, leading to another round of elections in 1999.
time when the BJP led NDA came to power it was the result of a period of great
political instability in India. The BJP had risen in prominence with the
vitriolic Mandir issue and the
following communal turmoil in the country. However, despite being the single
largest party in 1996, the Vajpayee government had to resign within 13 days as
it could not muster enough support in the Lok Sabha to form a stable government.
A period of two failed United Front Governments paved way for the first BJP led
NDA to power. Ironically, it lasted for only 13 months as AIADMK withdrew
support, leading to another round of elections in 1999.
Finally,
after three general elections over three years (1996-1999) and a lot of political
mud-wrestling, the new BJP led NDA managed to garner enough numbers in the
parliament to stitch together a successful coalition government. The nation was
desperately seeking for political stability and BJP was seen as the TINA factor
in Indian politics.
after three general elections over three years (1996-1999) and a lot of political
mud-wrestling, the new BJP led NDA managed to garner enough numbers in the
parliament to stitch together a successful coalition government. The nation was
desperately seeking for political stability and BJP was seen as the TINA factor
in Indian politics.
The
RSS immediately took this as a mandate for its Hindutva project and along with its cohorts (Bajrang Dal, Viswa Hindu Parishad, and many more that suddenly
sprung up given the favourable winds) started a period of social upheaval in
the country. What really kept the NDA rolling was the economic boom that the
country witnessed during this period where the upper and a sizeable section of
the middle class was engrossed in their material benefits and thus remained
silent to a large extent on the saffron brigade’s excesses.
RSS immediately took this as a mandate for its Hindutva project and along with its cohorts (Bajrang Dal, Viswa Hindu Parishad, and many more that suddenly
sprung up given the favourable winds) started a period of social upheaval in
the country. What really kept the NDA rolling was the economic boom that the
country witnessed during this period where the upper and a sizeable section of
the middle class was engrossed in their material benefits and thus remained
silent to a large extent on the saffron brigade’s excesses.
Nonetheless,
the first NDA had to lose power after just one term. This was because of two
major factors. The RSS pushed the envelope too far resulting in the Gujarat
carnage that was unpalatable for the large section of even the majority Hindu
community. Secondly, the excess of neoliberalism was too hot to handle, and
rising social inequalities gave rise to popular discontent that ripped apart
the ‘India Shining’ campaign of the NDA.
the first NDA had to lose power after just one term. This was because of two
major factors. The RSS pushed the envelope too far resulting in the Gujarat
carnage that was unpalatable for the large section of even the majority Hindu
community. Secondly, the excess of neoliberalism was too hot to handle, and
rising social inequalities gave rise to popular discontent that ripped apart
the ‘India Shining’ campaign of the NDA.
10
years down the line, in between which it reached a political nadir, the BJP has
once again managed to rise, and in greater strength than ever. The political
revival of the BJP, that presently has an unprecedented mandate in the Lok
Sabha, was based on the messianic rise of Narendra Damodar Modi. The Chief
Minister of Gujarat who oversaw the Guajarat carnage has always been an
extremely controversial figure in Indian politics over the past decade and his
rise to power is perhaps the highest point of rightward shift in the Indian polity.
years down the line, in between which it reached a political nadir, the BJP has
once again managed to rise, and in greater strength than ever. The political
revival of the BJP, that presently has an unprecedented mandate in the Lok
Sabha, was based on the messianic rise of Narendra Damodar Modi. The Chief
Minister of Gujarat who oversaw the Guajarat carnage has always been an
extremely controversial figure in Indian politics over the past decade and his
rise to power is perhaps the highest point of rightward shift in the Indian polity.
With
the support of a powerful PR drive (funded no doubt by the large corporate
lobby that saw this as an opportune time to dump the Congress and shift camps) and
riding on the popular discontent over the UPA-2 government in a period of
economic turmoil, the Modi mania managed to convince a huge section of Indians.
His promise of achhedin and vikas rallied the nation which voted in
numbers for his leadership, thereby giving BJP single largest majority in Lok
Sabha.
the support of a powerful PR drive (funded no doubt by the large corporate
lobby that saw this as an opportune time to dump the Congress and shift camps) and
riding on the popular discontent over the UPA-2 government in a period of
economic turmoil, the Modi mania managed to convince a huge section of Indians.
His promise of achhedin and vikas rallied the nation which voted in
numbers for his leadership, thereby giving BJP single largest majority in Lok
Sabha.
The
return of BJP to power, and that too with such majority in the Lok Sabha, was an
ominous sign for all progressive and rational people in the country who
remembered the excesses of the fundamentalists last time. Not surprisingly, the
return of the BJP has also signaled a return of those various fundamental
elements that have already started flexing their muscles across the country.
The eight months following the arrival of Modi at the highest chair of power
has been a period of uneasy calm, with Modi himself engaged in consolidating
his dictatorial authority over the central administration while the fringe
elements have been given leeway to test the waters continuously.
return of BJP to power, and that too with such majority in the Lok Sabha, was an
ominous sign for all progressive and rational people in the country who
remembered the excesses of the fundamentalists last time. Not surprisingly, the
return of the BJP has also signaled a return of those various fundamental
elements that have already started flexing their muscles across the country.
The eight months following the arrival of Modi at the highest chair of power
has been a period of uneasy calm, with Modi himself engaged in consolidating
his dictatorial authority over the central administration while the fringe
elements have been given leeway to test the waters continuously.
However,
the support of Modi has two distinct sections. The first is the hardcore
rightwing hindutva section, that has
always been the mainstay of BJP, but which by itself cannot even today ensure a
political majority for BJP. The real sizeable support comes from the upper,
upper middle and middle class section that look upon Modi to revive the period
of economic ‘development’ required to feed their aspirations. These aspirations
rely heavily on continuing neoliberal economic policies, and this section has
no qualms about it even if it ends up widening social inequalities as long as
their interests are met. The success of the Modi phenomenon lies in the fact
that both sections see Modi as the champion of their cause. For those seeking
‘economic development’, Modi is the charismatic CM behind Gujarat’s phenomenal
development; for the hindutva brigade
Modi is the pracharak who tacitly
supported the Gujarat carnage.
the support of Modi has two distinct sections. The first is the hardcore
rightwing hindutva section, that has
always been the mainstay of BJP, but which by itself cannot even today ensure a
political majority for BJP. The real sizeable support comes from the upper,
upper middle and middle class section that look upon Modi to revive the period
of economic ‘development’ required to feed their aspirations. These aspirations
rely heavily on continuing neoliberal economic policies, and this section has
no qualms about it even if it ends up widening social inequalities as long as
their interests are met. The success of the Modi phenomenon lies in the fact
that both sections see Modi as the champion of their cause. For those seeking
‘economic development’, Modi is the charismatic CM behind Gujarat’s phenomenal
development; for the hindutva brigade
Modi is the pracharak who tacitly
supported the Gujarat carnage.
Given
the huge mandate Modi has, the expectations from him of both lobbies are sky-high.
The first eight months has satisfied none, and the disappointment is being
vented out in the aftermath of the Delhi elections. There are open accusations
from both lobbies blaming Modi for the Delhi election defeat, but citing
contradictory reasons suiting their interests. Thus, while one section accuses
him of not doing enough to revive the economy while letting rogue fundamentalist
elements have a free run; the other section complains that Modi has been
neglecting the hindu cause, being too engrossed on economic issues, and thereby
neglecting his real support base. The sudden outburst of such emotions just
after a state assembly election reflect the impatience of both sections, and
certainly adds to the pressure on Modi to act fast.
the huge mandate Modi has, the expectations from him of both lobbies are sky-high.
The first eight months has satisfied none, and the disappointment is being
vented out in the aftermath of the Delhi elections. There are open accusations
from both lobbies blaming Modi for the Delhi election defeat, but citing
contradictory reasons suiting their interests. Thus, while one section accuses
him of not doing enough to revive the economy while letting rogue fundamentalist
elements have a free run; the other section complains that Modi has been
neglecting the hindu cause, being too engrossed on economic issues, and thereby
neglecting his real support base. The sudden outburst of such emotions just
after a state assembly election reflect the impatience of both sections, and
certainly adds to the pressure on Modi to act fast.
The
real challenge for Modi is that delivering on both grounds will be quite tough
for him. This is a typical problem that is faced by many who try to ride two
boats at the same time.
real challenge for Modi is that delivering on both grounds will be quite tough
for him. This is a typical problem that is faced by many who try to ride two
boats at the same time.
Modi’s
model of ‘development’ is nothing but blatant appeasement of corporate
interests and an unflinching affiliation to the ‘trickle down’ theory. His idea
of growth is quite apparent from the small but significant steps his government
has taken in the form of diluting environmental norms and land acquisition norms
to ‘facilitate’ corporate sector interests. Even in the recent meeting with
other Chief Ministers in the Niti Ayog session, Modi has reportedly lectured
them on the need for ‘growth’ to address problems of ‘poverty’ and
‘development’; arguments that are past their shelf life and already discredited
globally. He fails to realize that (a) economic growth during global economic
recession is not possible unless policies are taken to boost domestic
consumption levels and (b) the neoclassical traits like ‘jobless growth’ and
falling wage shares prevent even the limited economic growth from translating
into economic development, thereby limiting the growth prospect itself.
Overzealous imposition of neoliberalism will only end up worsening the woes of
the marginalised section of society with very little economic wellbeing for the
beneficiary class, leading to overall discontent.
model of ‘development’ is nothing but blatant appeasement of corporate
interests and an unflinching affiliation to the ‘trickle down’ theory. His idea
of growth is quite apparent from the small but significant steps his government
has taken in the form of diluting environmental norms and land acquisition norms
to ‘facilitate’ corporate sector interests. Even in the recent meeting with
other Chief Ministers in the Niti Ayog session, Modi has reportedly lectured
them on the need for ‘growth’ to address problems of ‘poverty’ and
‘development’; arguments that are past their shelf life and already discredited
globally. He fails to realize that (a) economic growth during global economic
recession is not possible unless policies are taken to boost domestic
consumption levels and (b) the neoclassical traits like ‘jobless growth’ and
falling wage shares prevent even the limited economic growth from translating
into economic development, thereby limiting the growth prospect itself.
Overzealous imposition of neoliberalism will only end up worsening the woes of
the marginalised section of society with very little economic wellbeing for the
beneficiary class, leading to overall discontent.
On
the other hand, pursuing hindutva
fundamentalism in times of economic distress will only end up alienating the
new found support base that helped his meteoric rise to power. The Indian
polity, despite its dubious tendencies, has consistently resisted any kind of
religious fundamentalism whenever such forces have tried to usurp moral
hegemony in the society. It had little appetite for such obscurantism ten years
ago, and has lesser patience for such things during troubled times like the
present.
the other hand, pursuing hindutva
fundamentalism in times of economic distress will only end up alienating the
new found support base that helped his meteoric rise to power. The Indian
polity, despite its dubious tendencies, has consistently resisted any kind of
religious fundamentalism whenever such forces have tried to usurp moral
hegemony in the society. It had little appetite for such obscurantism ten years
ago, and has lesser patience for such things during troubled times like the
present.
There
are two possibilities before us in such a situation. Modi might fail to
maintain the balance of assuaging both sections successfully together and soon
lose some of his charismatic aura. The jumla
over black money has infuriated many, and Modi can ill afford more such jumlas. Already the victory of AAP is
being said to have exposed chinks in his infallibility and political
oppositions are poised to exploit it to the end. The euphoria surrounding Modi
might just cascade into a wave of resentment as his messianic image crumbles
down while he desperately tries a balancing act.
are two possibilities before us in such a situation. Modi might fail to
maintain the balance of assuaging both sections successfully together and soon
lose some of his charismatic aura. The jumla
over black money has infuriated many, and Modi can ill afford more such jumlas. Already the victory of AAP is
being said to have exposed chinks in his infallibility and political
oppositions are poised to exploit it to the end. The euphoria surrounding Modi
might just cascade into a wave of resentment as his messianic image crumbles
down while he desperately tries a balancing act.
Secondly,
in his efforts to deliver on both counts, he might end up repeating the same
mistake of double excesses that led to the ousting of the previous NDA. The
real danger is that given the kind of mandate BJP has this time around, it is
unfettered by political compulsion of coalition government (a factor that many
in the erstwhile BJP lamented a lot) and the magnitude of damage it can do is
alarming. Even in this quiet phase, Modi has revealed his fascist tendencies in
glimpses. An overactive Modi or a cornered Modi is a danger that is the worst
nightmare of all progressive people in this country.
in his efforts to deliver on both counts, he might end up repeating the same
mistake of double excesses that led to the ousting of the previous NDA. The
real danger is that given the kind of mandate BJP has this time around, it is
unfettered by political compulsion of coalition government (a factor that many
in the erstwhile BJP lamented a lot) and the magnitude of damage it can do is
alarming. Even in this quiet phase, Modi has revealed his fascist tendencies in
glimpses. An overactive Modi or a cornered Modi is a danger that is the worst
nightmare of all progressive people in this country.
The
author is Senior Economist at Economic Research Foundation, New Delhi
author is Senior Economist at Economic Research Foundation, New Delhi
