Post independence India always witnessed the presence of regional political parties (RPPs) in different states, with differing levels of strength. Some were fringe players, and continue to do so. Will-nilly, the decadence of the one mass-based National Outfit, the Congress(Indira)- which later on usurped the mantle of the Indian National Congress- also saw the emergence of not only the Bharatiya Janata Party, as a credible opposition at the national level, but also some RPPs - notably the SP, BSP, BJP, NCP, Telugu Desam, JDU, RJD etc... wielding power not only in the states, but also influencing, and quite often playing nuisance-maker role at the national level. Parties like the DMK ( and with it, the the breakaway AIADMK), the Shiv Sena etc. have always existed almost since Independence ( or shortly thereafter). Some break-away parties like the NCP, TMC have gained quickie popularity and acceptance, by deftly maneuvering the sentiments of the local populace.
India has always been a global showcase of unity in diversity. However, the parochial focus of the Congress in the "cow belt" ( read: Hindi-speaking heartland) had resulted in " more than equal" status to that part of the country, leaving many other "lesser" states far behind, in economic development. The regional players were quick on pounce on this disenchantment. The main national party had failed to put the nation's interest above petty parochial cow-belt and family politics. The regional outfits found it convenient to climb the popularity ladder, by focusing on regional ( read: linguistic, casteist and religious) disparities.
The collateral damage of this growth of the regional parties is that the narrow interests of a focus group have gained predominance over national interests. It does not help that the constitution did not clearly demarcate Central, State and Concurrent lists when it came to managing the resources of the country in a structured way. With due respects to the founding fathers of the nation, they perhaps were not visionary enough to see what was coming down the road. Some natural resources like water, rivers, land etc, which could have perhaps been part of the Central list, were left out. The seemingly insolvable water disputes between various states across the country that we witness today, could have been minimized, had the rivers been part of the National list. It is a shame that almost all national parties, including the current ruling party, play dirty double games, whipping up passions across the state borders.
I strongly feel that barring the odd ones, most regional parties have only served to divide the country further. Nationalism has clearly given way to regionalism. Objectivity has taken the back-seat, while parochialism reigns supreme. To add insult to injury, more often than not, the regional parties have become cases of the tail wagging the dog. It may be recalled that the AIADMK, with less than 10 members in the Lok Sabha, had played nuisance, and had brought down a central government, in 1996.
In an immature democracy like India, coalition politics directly means rampant horse-trading and corruption. The regional satraps end up enjoying their place in the sun, with very little stakes at the national level. Result? No one seems to take the national cause up seriously, any more, playing mere lip service all along. The present government appears to show some signs of change for the better, in that respect, but it is too early to say whether the nation is going to be put back on the path of a strong self-pride and oneness, by just one political party.
Yes, a strong opposition is required, in any democracy, to maintain the necessary checks and balances. It is easy for me to say that we really do not need a strong opposition for the country to grow and stay proud, if I am to take the example of Singapore. But one must remember the sheer complexity and diversity of India is perhaps matched only by the European Union, which is a loose confederation, at best, as opposed to a single country like ours. There, the member countries continue to retain their individual identities, while sleeping with each other, whenever convenient. I am not going to entertain any arguments on whether India should remain one or not. To me, that is a given - India is one, and will continue to exhibit unity in diversity. The question then boils down to what is the best option for India - the emergence of RPPs, or strong national parties with a pan-India presence who avoid playing dirty double-games in different states and maintain a principled stand across the country in almost all issues.
If I am to stick my neck out and take a stand, I would rather see the re-emergence of a set of strong national parties. It is time that the national parties stepped up. The BJP is certainly accelerating the process of substituting the RPPs with itself. Whether that will lead to the extermination of these RPPs remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it augurs well for national interest.
The Chinese had erased all regional identities in their country, including regional dialects, food, language, dress, culture etc., in favour of a unified China. They had even destroyed manuscripts and artifacts, in order to facilitate a unified China. The Ming Dynasty had started it, and the Communist regime had perfected it. India, however, cannot afford to, and should not be foolhardy, to attempt that. India's strength is in tolerance, and unity and diversity, and we should maintain that at all costs. Therefore, it is incumbent on the national parties like the BJP and Congress ( without the Ghandys) to put aside their own hidden agendas. I see the BJP pushing Hindi forcefully down the throat of non-Hindi speaking population, and that is not going to help anyone, including the BJP itself. The Congress's pushing of "cow belt politics", coupled with the hegemony of one family, has pushed it into a position of an also-ran, in national and state politics, and that should serve as a stern warning for the BJP too.
A responsible set of national political parties with the vision and passion for a strong emergent India, will be the best case scenario.
RIP, RPPs.
The re-emergence of National Parties
India has always been a global showcase of unity in diversity. However, the parochial focus of the Congress in the "cow belt" ( read: Hindi-speaking heartland) had resulted in " more than equal" status to that part of the country, leaving many other "lesser" states far behind, in economic development. The regional players were quick on pounce on this disenchantment. The main national party had failed to put the nation's interest above petty parochial cow-belt and family politics. The regional outfits found it convenient to climb the popularity ladder, by focusing on regional ( read: linguistic, casteist and religious) disparities.
The collateral damage of this growth of the regional parties is that the narrow interests of a focus group have gained predominance over national interests. It does not help that the constitution did not clearly demarcate Central, State and Concurrent lists when it came to managing the resources of the country in a structured way. With due respects to the founding fathers of the nation, they perhaps were not visionary enough to see what was coming down the road. Some natural resources like water, rivers, land etc, which could have perhaps been part of the Central list, were left out. The seemingly insolvable water disputes between various states across the country that we witness today, could have been minimized, had the rivers been part of the National list. It is a shame that almost all national parties, including the current ruling party, play dirty double games, whipping up passions across the state borders.
I strongly feel that barring the odd ones, most regional parties have only served to divide the country further. Nationalism has clearly given way to regionalism. Objectivity has taken the back-seat, while parochialism reigns supreme. To add insult to injury, more often than not, the regional parties have become cases of the tail wagging the dog. It may be recalled that the AIADMK, with less than 10 members in the Lok Sabha, had played nuisance, and had brought down a central government, in 1996.
In an immature democracy like India, coalition politics directly means rampant horse-trading and corruption. The regional satraps end up enjoying their place in the sun, with very little stakes at the national level. Result? No one seems to take the national cause up seriously, any more, playing mere lip service all along. The present government appears to show some signs of change for the better, in that respect, but it is too early to say whether the nation is going to be put back on the path of a strong self-pride and oneness, by just one political party.
Yes, a strong opposition is required, in any democracy, to maintain the necessary checks and balances. It is easy for me to say that we really do not need a strong opposition for the country to grow and stay proud, if I am to take the example of Singapore. But one must remember the sheer complexity and diversity of India is perhaps matched only by the European Union, which is a loose confederation, at best, as opposed to a single country like ours. There, the member countries continue to retain their individual identities, while sleeping with each other, whenever convenient. I am not going to entertain any arguments on whether India should remain one or not. To me, that is a given - India is one, and will continue to exhibit unity in diversity. The question then boils down to what is the best option for India - the emergence of RPPs, or strong national parties with a pan-India presence who avoid playing dirty double-games in different states and maintain a principled stand across the country in almost all issues.
If I am to stick my neck out and take a stand, I would rather see the re-emergence of a set of strong national parties. It is time that the national parties stepped up. The BJP is certainly accelerating the process of substituting the RPPs with itself. Whether that will lead to the extermination of these RPPs remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it augurs well for national interest.
The Chinese had erased all regional identities in their country, including regional dialects, food, language, dress, culture etc., in favour of a unified China. They had even destroyed manuscripts and artifacts, in order to facilitate a unified China. The Ming Dynasty had started it, and the Communist regime had perfected it. India, however, cannot afford to, and should not be foolhardy, to attempt that. India's strength is in tolerance, and unity and diversity, and we should maintain that at all costs. Therefore, it is incumbent on the national parties like the BJP and Congress ( without the Ghandys) to put aside their own hidden agendas. I see the BJP pushing Hindi forcefully down the throat of non-Hindi speaking population, and that is not going to help anyone, including the BJP itself. The Congress's pushing of "cow belt politics", coupled with the hegemony of one family, has pushed it into a position of an also-ran, in national and state politics, and that should serve as a stern warning for the BJP too.
A responsible set of national political parties with the vision and passion for a strong emergent India, will be the best case scenario.
RIP, RPPs.
The re-emergence of National Parties
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