Will I.N.D.I.A. create a positive impact on Indian voters?

The creation of opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A. will have an impact based on multiple factors like preference for a particular party, their political promises, perception of those leaders, the need for a dynamic, progressive, prosperous future for its citizens. Besides many parameter, one important parameter is how effective these coalition partners in the past. One must remember the old proverb – those who do not learn from history, becomes history.

We all know that they don’t eye-to-eye to each other but formed the alliance to protect their dynastic party from losing credibility. This already happened with a regional party BSP and their leader Mayawati refused to fight election jointly with congress in 2022 UP state election even when congress offered them CM post. It is difficult for these 28 parties which formed alliance called I.N.D.I.A. just before the 2024 general election to prevent Modi becoming PM for the third time but if they jointly fight, they may survive to fight 2029 election and will not die like BSP.

Historically all these alliances failed miserably because of personality clash among themselves. In 1977, PM Charan Singh and Morarji Desai together could rule only less than three years. People were frustrated with this Janta Dal government whom they selected due to their anger against Indira Gandhi’s imposition of emergency and associated excesses, that they gave a thumping victory to Indira Gandhi in 1980.

Next coalition government happened in late 1980s when VP Singh became PM riding on corruption allegation like Bofors scam. Again it was like mixing oil with water where VP Singh was supported by right wing BJP, communists and ambitious leader Chandra Shekhar. The front page of magazine ‘India Today’ clearly depicted why unlike minded political party coalition do not work.

VP Singh government was like a circus

Rajiv Gandhi lured Chandra Shekhar and then topped his government

Since VP Singh failed to prove any Bofors scam, Rajiv’s Swiss bank or St. Kits account, he came up with Mandal reservation recommendation for 27% OBC population. This recommendation came from casteist politicians like Laloo Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav. There was bloodbath on the streets as many youths immolated themselves seeing government jobs disappearing. This created VP Singh – BJP rift. BJP countered ‘Mandal with Kamandal’ and started Rath Yatra and Ram temple movement. As their rift increased, opposition leader Rajiv Gandhi encouraged Chandra Shekhar to break away. Chandra Shekar became PM supported by congress leader Rajiv Gandhi but it lasted for few months only.

Same story was repeated in late 1990s when HD Deve Gowda became PM as a compromise formula. That time congress president Sitaram Kesri was supporting him but also harassing and abusing him publically. Sitaram Kesri was 80+ year old and had strong desire to become PM before his time runs out. So, he started calling PM HD Deve Gowda ‘nikamma’ (useless fellow) regularly and looking for all opportunity to topple the government. How can a government work in this situation?

Needless to say, country suffered immensely during these three phases of coalition government at the centre. But who is responsible for this? Obviously, fractured mandate of public. In all three cases, people wanted to move away from congress but the government they formed was not sufficiently powerful. Congress party in recently concluded Bengaluru meet where I.N.D.I.A term was coined, stated that they will not claim for the PM post. People should take this commitment as ‘pinch of salt’ considering past act of congress in toppling other governments.

BJP leader AB Vajpayee famously stated – congress in opposition is more dangerous for the country than in government. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also proved that by visiting various countries abroad and abused all Indian institutions like judiciary, parliament, election commission, government, secularism policy, foreign policy etc. and met known anti-Indian forces to get political funding. Perhaps, only a powerful Modi can handle congress’s negative campaign inside India and abroad.

Considering the past reference, this coalition of diverse ideology and where vote bank overlap with each other in various states and region, this coalition will not have a positive impact on Indian voters. They will get support only from hard-core leftist and certain religious minority who will never vote for BJP.

Picture source: India Today