Electoral scene
Barely 48 hours have passed since the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule but the line-up in the grand battle is already distinctly discernible. For the first time since 1952, when independent India held its inaugural general election, the electorate is being invited to choose between the most vested of vested interests on the one side and the nation’s well-being and public good on the other. https://thewire.in/politics/the-battle-for-2024-is-between-modi-and-his-corporate-backers-and-the-people-of-india
On March 18, the Business Standard, that respected voice of the capitalist establishment, chose to publish a “CEO Poll.” As per its survey, India’s captains of industry unanimously believe that the disquieting disclosure of the identity of donors and recipients of the electoral bonds will not sway voters at all. Translated in simple language: it will have no negative impact on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) presumed front-runner position.
by Harish Khare
19/03/2024
Chandigarh election staff has made it clear that the bulk messages being sent by the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre after the general elections have been announced is clear case of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation. https://thewire.in/politics/prima-facie-mcc-violation-chandigarh-authorities-refer-modis-mass-whatsapp-message-to-ec
Since the matter has nationwide jurisdiction, the Chandigarh administration referred it to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “necessary action”.
The matter relates to the circulation of bulk messages to millions of Indians onWhatsApp from ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’, with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi attached.
Largely highlighting his government’s achievements in past ten years, Modi in the letter stated that transformation in the lives of people was the biggest achievement of his government. He then sought people’s feedback.
A Chandigarh resident who received Modi’s letter a day after the poll announcement on March 17 filed a complaint through the ECI’s C-Vigil App, alleging it to be a misuse of official government machinery during the general election.
by Vivek Gupta
19/03/2024
It is necessary to evaluate the manifestos of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, to see what they hold for farmers and the larger agrarian sector. https://thewire.in/agriculture/agriculture-farmers-bjp-congress-manifesto
The ongoing farmers movement – 2.0 – and the previous movement of 2020-21, both show the urgent need to address problems of rural India which include issues of minimum support price, falling incomes, food sovereignty, etc. Other issues of food inflation and supply management also loom over the policy makers. So it is important to see how two of the biggest parties plan to tackle the agrarian question.
24/04/2024
‘Nyay Patra’ vs ‘Modi ki Guarantee’: Free citizens or wards of the state? https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/nyay-patra-modi-ki-guarantee-congress-bjp-manifesto-comparison/article68101333.ece
The Congress and BJP manifestos are unflatteringly similar, but with one crucial difference: the empowerment of citizens. Apr 26, 2024 ASHISH KOTHARI
Ashish Kothari highlights the Alternatives View of the Manifestos.
Both manifestos are silent on some crucial actions that could lead India to achieve the goals of justice, equality, and sustainability.
Nearly 50% of Indian population lives in the cities, for they are hub of opportunities and significant in country's development trajectory. Yet, the urban landscape remains a blank spot in our political discourse. https://thewire.in/politics/the-urban-question-whats-on-offer-for-indian-cities-in-party-manifestos
Through an analysis of election manifestos, this article locates the urban within the slew of promises, understanding how India’s cities feature in them.
While the popular assumption that – Bharat Ek Krishi Pradhan Desh Hai (India is an agrarian country/economy) – persists, the reality now is far from the truth. The urban now would almost house 50% of the population and play a preeminent role in the country’s development trajectory. It is where the jobs are, where youth and the workers flock to, and what drives capital. Yet it is also where the deepest inequalities exist, with a lack of access to basic amenities and infrastructures. Our cities routinely stand at the top of the charts for being the most polluted, climate-disaster-prone, and unliveable in the world. It is responses, if not solutions, to these challenges that we seek to find in the manifestos and that tell us of our urban policy drift.
by Vikram Mukka
24/04/2024
- A Comparison of Congress and BJP Manifestoes And What They Fail to Mention
- What the BJP's Manifesto Doesn't Say – And the Congress's Does
- Jobs in the Congress Manifesto: A Promise and a Hope
- Why Delhi HC's Dismissal of Petition Seeking Action on PM Modi's Hate Speech is Dangerous
- JP Nadda Responds to EC Notice, Defends Modi's Hate Speeches
- Rahul Gandhi’s Two-Pronged Class and Caste Attack Got Modi to Name Ambani-Adani
- Modi appears to be throwing away his own lead in this election
- 93 Ex Civil Servants Endorse Letter to EC Demanding Action on Modi's Communal Speech
- Concerned Over Technology Affecting Electoral Outcomes: Civil Society Outfits to ECI
- Election Commission के Notice के बाद Modi का भाषण
- PM Modi Bhiwani Speech Analysis
- Backstory: What Has Changed in the BJP Poll Campaign Since 2014 and What Hasn’t?
- PM Says "Congress To Distribute Assets Among Infiltrators"
Subcategories
Indian Electoral Politics: Shifting Sands
Seven decades down the line the electoral scene has changed for the worse and is currently dominated by emotive issues. The foundation of derailing the ‘this worldly’ issues was the Ram Temple movement. This movement became stronger after the implementation of Mandal Commission report. Since then the domination of emotive, identity issues is on the rise. This is reflected by the fact that in 2019, no party dared to utter the word secularism, as claimed by the winner of 2019 elections, Mr. Narendra Modi himself. He presented it as a trophy for the efforts of RSS-BJP’s political success.
https://countercurrents.org/2022/11/indian-electoral-politics-shifting-sands/
It is in this track that any issue can be given a religious turn as we witnessed its peak in the coining of phrase ‘Corona Jihad’. This showed how electoral politics can be reduced merely to game of identity issues. BJP has mastered this art over a period of last few decades. The media, which is prostrating to BJP ideology, is putting its best efforts to magnify the doings of communal stream.
Not to be left behind, Arvind Kejrival is trying to compete which these divisive efforts revolving around identity issues, in his own unique smart ways. The AAP, which in a way, is an alternate model of communal politics; is playing its Hindutva/communal card with shrewdness. Kajriwal party is also an example of blind subservience to the dictator by the other leaders of that party. As Kejriwal demanded this; all his cronies, stated saying the same. The peak of this was Atishi Marlena, who stated that this demand of Laxmi-Ganesh is not merely Kejriwal demand, it is the aspiration of 130 crore Indians! Most of the dictatorial tendencies believe they are speaking for the whole country. This is a duplicate of what Narendra Modi, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat, used to say that he is talking on behalf of Five Crore Gujratis. India needs a party which can accommodate all sections of society with equality and dignity, apart from welfare; it also promotes employment and proactively deals with marginalized sections of society. We need a party where religion is not mixed with politics. For many, AAP began with a big promise for a better politics, but its reality is there for all to see with its trajectory leading to demanding Laxmi and Ganesh on currency notes and dumping of Jan Lokpal in the dustbin of Hisotry!
2/11/2022