Accept 4 truths to counter BJP hegemony. They offer a formula to reclaim republic in 2024 YOGENDRA YADAV 11 March, 2022 https://theprint.in/opinion/road-to-2024-was-always-tough-it-got-tougher-and-bleaker-after-the-assembly-elections/868930/
The BJP may enjoy ideological dominance today, but counter-hegemonic politics has deeper cultural resources. If we are determined and intelligent, we shall win.
First, It is not just the contesting parties that were defeated in this election...We all had stakes in this election. We, who believed in the idea of a democratic republic..We have been defeated.
Second.. We are dealing with a hegemonic power. This political dominance is backed by an unprecedented use of state power and street power, enough to bend all institutions and silence most voices of dissent. Above all, there is an ideological and cultural acceptance. The BJP has managed to hijack the key cultural resources of politics in India: nationalism, Hinduism and our cultural heritage.
The third truth is that there is no readymade alternative. As it stands today, the Congress party can hardly lay claims to being the natural alternative. The regional alternatives work in some regions, but not in the Hindi heartland. And they are not scalable..The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is certainly more scalable than other regional parties... It has to prove its governance claims in a normal state that is revenue deficit, demonstrate an understanding of agrarian policy and show that it is not run from Dilli darbar that is anathema to Punjabis. Above all, it needs to prove its secular credentials and show that it is a counter hegemonic force
The fourth truth is positive: we are not without potential for alternatives. The BJP may enjoy ideological dominance today, but counter-hegemonic politics has deeper cultural resources. We have with us the heritage of our civilisation, the legacy of our national movement and the Constitution of India.
These four truths of contemporary Indian politics yield a sutra about counter-hegemonic politics: satta se sangharsh, samaj se samvad (resistance to power, dialogue with the people).