Can Development Win You Elections?

Results of 2024 elections have thrown a challenge at votaries of economic development as answer to divisive politics. 2014 to 2014 was period of fastest growing Indian economy with a huge blip of two years due to world pandemic of Covid that saw many economies collapse. It was period of both micro and macro changes in society with bottom of pyramid population getting massive benefits of new model of economic development that h a social content too. It was period that saw massive reforms policies and big push for infrastructure. It saw North East Region joining mainstream finally on back of development in every sector of economy. This period saw 25 crore distressed poor out of poverty, provided dignity of life to crores at a speed and efficiency that was never seen in earlier 70 years. It was “sabka saath sabka vikas” (taking everyone toger for development) re was no discrimination on caste or religion. But BJP did not succeed way Modi ji h hoped.

This strange behaviour of electorate has stumped many political watchers. In USA state of economy can make or mar President. For first time, USA elections are not being fought on state of economy but on woke agenda. In India, a successful economy does not guarantee your return to power. I have noted earlier, “Good economics does not necessarily good politics.

PVN Narasimha Rao lost elections despite turning Indian economy around by throwing away rotten mixed economy model, which was socialism based on Russian model by anor name. Atal Behari Vajpayee consolidated gains of liberalised economy by giving it a solid foundation of reformed laws and clear government vision. He also turned Indian economy vibrant with ambitious plans to modernise and expand our infrastructure. An idea that socialist Congress remnants laughed at. We saw high growth rates that lasted even UPA1. He lost. In state politics regressive Communist rule for three deces in West Bengal, followed by anor dece of directionless oppressive policies of TMC saw West Bengal going down from top of table to bottom. Chandrababu Naidu gave a new lease of life to undivided Andhra Presh with ambitious digitisation and modernisation of AP. He did not return to power. As an exception, Modi ji won consecutively three times in Gujarat with firm but responsive governance and economic growth. His legacy is still alive and Gujarat is still ruled by BJP, though with a lacklustre government. re is a hidden message here. Modi ji and subsequently, BJP, lasted because core Hindutva sentiment is holding his electorate toger. Only development would not have worked.

Coming back to present election, we find clues why a large number of electorate chose religion and in some regions caste as criteria for voting. by ir own mission, Muslims gained out of proportion benefits from welfare measures of Modi government. y also know that UPA’s own Sachar Committee report h literally highlighted that secularism of Congress and its allies h not benefited Muslims at all. In terms of social environment, despite vicious propaganda, re were hardly any serious communal riots, except in Delhi, which were engineered by some opposition politicians as shown by investigations. Muslim women gained freedom from regressive personal laws.

Here is dilemma that faces BJP - “If voters are lured easily by caste and religion factors, why talk of development?” What’s use of hard work put in by Modi ji for welfare of Muslim community? Why do we discuss economic factors so seriously if people are going to vote for narrow considerations of religion and caste? Better enjoy governance without delivery and play communal and caste politics with some crumbs of imaginary benefits or freebies to get votes?

re is clear evidence in news reporter clips that Muslims h openly told different reporters that though y profited from Modi Ji’s welfare measures, y would vote for Congress or allies. SCST society got blown away by fake news spre like wild fire that reservations will be removed. y did not listen to multiple assurances of Modi ji nor BJP record of not playing with spirit of Constitution ever. Voters also need to ponder wher y want better life or only religious play.

One of solutions could be to follow genuine unbiased secularism, following BJP motto – “justice for all, appeasement of none”, coined by vani ij. Special schemes for minorities only hurt sentiments of poor Hindus. Wher it is a certain amount given to a daughter of a Muslim family at time of marriage, or a Hunar Haat focused on Muslim karigars, poor Hindu or artisan feels short changed. He/ she questions policies that discriminate against m.

Modi ji h rightly appealed to Muslims to think wher sloganeering or only religion based issues like land for mosques or Waqf will help m in anyway as compared to genuine welfare measures. But it seems this appeal h no effect on ground.

Should BJP work for easier way of and work for reverse polarisation of majority with lip service to secularism, or try to change deep bias against Hindutva and BJP with non-partisan development tilted towards minorities? BJP cannot get a Muslim elected even from Muslim majority area.

Will it not be better for BJP to resolve pains of Hindus? Problems that do not affect or communities but are impact Hindus? For example, BJP work towards freeing Hindu Mandirs and handing m over to Hindu society at earliest. This would solve so many of problems of Hindus, like temple management in dharmic way, nurture Gurukuls, running dharmic programme with devotees’ contribution to nurture Sanatan Dharma. If BJP wishes to go whole hog, it could change discriminatory nature of Articles 25 to 30 and make m universally applicable in true spirit of secularism or Sarva Panth Samabhaava. BJP can give recognition to Sanskrit degrees like Shastri which used to be equivalent to post gruate degrees.

BJP could repeal and design new Waqf Board act which has given untrammelled powers of land grabbing to Islamic bodies and is against every judicial norm. This law has potential of creating huge unrest.

Why should minorities not be part of Right to Education? Some minority institutions are of very high quality. Educating children cannot be duty of majority community alone. Every citizen should contribute to national cause.

re are many or issues that need to be dressed for working towards a better society. Population Control is anor urgent task that has to be religion neutral and implemented post haste. Uniform Civil Code demanded by various Indian courts is non-discriminatory, and can be brought in.

Minorities need to realise that that y don’t have a veto power, or right to enjoy privileges without contributing to national good. steps suggested here can slowly bring about a change in ir attitude as exclusivist groups. No citizen or group of citizens have a right to exploit democratic and secular laws for ir gains, at same time holding Indian democracy to ransom using religious card. Dialogues must continue with m to rise about communal politics and join national mainstream with clear understanding that special privileges need not be a one way street.