YPOST

Regional politics and fractured mandate-

 The destiny of Indian democracy

Ever since the independence of India, with the Congress dominating in the centre, all national matters and political decisions were in the control of a single party.  Selection and allotment of all developmental work for the various states and its citizens was entirely in the hands of the centre. Soon enough this process of centre-mercy-development started getting disliked by various states and regions.

Figure 1: logo of the Tamil Nadu based 

DMK

With the Congress providing development at a snail’s pace and facilitating the ever-extending economic gap on one hand and the non- secular BJP riding high on communal votes on the other, regional parties started to come into the picture in Indian democracy.

But is the emergence of regional parties the solution to the psycho economic scenario in the country?

Though regional parties have a major hand in developmental work and healthy trade coming to their states it has also lead to a frenzy of coalition governments and has increased the predominantly existing caste system mindset in India, not to forget the varied levels of corruption it has dragged along with it.

Regional parties play a major role in Indian politics. Their influence is not only on particular regions but is also considered in national politics.  Regional parties have a better grasp of votes in their particular state. So, the centre is forced to join hands with these political parties to maintain majority. This gives the regional parties an upper hand in their stately decision making process as they pull the strings of the national party in their state.

Thus, a vicious circle evolves in which loss of faith in the centre is coupled with the formation of more regional parties.

Figure 2: BJD is a regional party having 

split from its larger faction

On the down-side, while making policies the central government has to consider the demands of the regional parties. Thus, more time in making and implementing development and welfare policies. Moreover, regional parties create instability in national governments.         

Sometimes legislatures are dissolved and fresh elections are held before the five year terms.

Figure 3: TMC which started as a state-level 

party is today the 6th largest national party

Also, too many players in the field of politics diminish the quality of politics in India. Instead of uniting, regional politics divide the country in smaller fractions.

National policies are hindered in order to maintain coalition with regional parties as the administration remains stuck with the question of how to deal with regional politics.

Whereas. On the up-side just a few national parties are not sufficient to manage a democracy as large as India, so regional political parties can easily and efficiently manage the nation. Also, implementation of policies approved by the government can successfully be carried out by the regional parties and leakages in the system can be easily identified and addressed.

So, it is not a herculean task for one to understand that regional politics, with the proper balance of give and take can contribute to the progress of India.

Fractured mandate is inevitable and a nation inclined regional leader is the need of the hour for endemic and inclusive local and national growth.

 Mohammed Sohail

PG 1, M.Sc in Media Science