The 2024 elections to the Lok Sabha was a watershed event in the Indian history. Aspirations and anguish of people were refelected in the voting, that went on for more than a month in seven phases. Amidst the elections many questions emerged and they will continue to be discussed, debated and deliberated. But, Democracy emerged victorious. One group of political party has been given the responsibility to govern the country for next five years and another group of alliance is incharge of keeping a check on them. A true example of successful democracy.- M.Rajendran
The results of the 2024 election to the 18th Lok Sabha have yet again demonstrated that the people of India value democracy, unlike the report a few months ago, where people allegedly voted for an autocratic rule in India.
A total of 85% of Indian respondents said that military rule or rule by an authoritarian leader would be good for the country, a 2023 survey by the United States-based think tank Pew Research Centre showed. However, the people of India have proved why they wish to have strong opposition in a democracy. The last 10 years of the BJP-led NDA Government with an absolute majority provided the people what they sought from such a government.
Academically, it will continue to be a debate, which is good?—Democratic or One party rule. But practically, the fight will continue to ensure that no single party gains unchecked power in governance of the country. NDA has yet again formed a government in 2024. It is hoped and belived that it will provide a government that is a true representative of the Federal nature of the Indian Constitution.
It is not going to be easy. And it should not be. The foundation of a government is to serve the people of India, according to the Constitution of India and ensure that no one tries to even think of changing its Basic Structure. That should be paramount in the minds of all coalition partners, irrespective of whether a party or an alliance forms the Government at the Centre.
The results have ensured that India will yet again have a coalition government. The onus will be on all political parties of that coalition should focus on the challenges before the country.
What should be the priority of the new Government?
Employment
The priority is employment generation and filling up the vacant posts in Central and State Government. The political parties should demonstrate to the people that they will provide what they promised.
Lack of employment is a crucial challenge. It should not be brushed under the carpet with a lame argument that anyone who wishes to work will find some work. It is the responsibility of the Government not only to provide employment but also to generate employment.
Price rise
The Government should focus on rationalizing the high cost of basic consumption items. It does not happen on its own. Policy directives are urgently required to resolve this issue. Any delay will only anger people, which is not good for society. Any kind of unrest on issues of poverty and unemployment is not reflective of a good governance.
Urgent redressal of Farmers
The country witnessed one of the most powerful demonstrations by farmers in India. True, the farmers of North India dominated it. But that is because the pain points were more in the states that helped India get out of food dependence and made us selfsufficient. A lot needs to be done urgently to help farmers.
Can a Coalition Govt help?
The pulls and pressure of a coalition government can indeed ensure that no one political party rolls out only its agenda. However, unemployment and the high cost of living are universal problems, and every political party in the coalition is duty-bound to address them.
In a single majority party government, where there are no checks and balances or, if any, that have limited scope and impact for the larger public, the coalition government allows showing the people of India that they can work as a team despite differences and ideologies.
Since, in the end, it is the country and Democracy that thrives and blossoms. However, with a narrow and myopic approach, the political parties in a coalition can be detrimental to Democracy. The role of opposition in a coalition is as important as the team given or claimed to have the mandate to govern.
The new Government at the Centre must prove and demonstrate that it would follow Democracy as enshrined in our Constitution. If they do not, the people of India showed up in 1977, and they demonstrated in 2024 what they can do to save Democracy and the Constitution that gives them their freedom.
100 days Plan
The first major decision of the new Union Cabinet was three crore additional rural and urban houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of our nation and ensuring that every citizen leads a better quality of life. PM Narendra Modi also signed authorising release of 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi. This will benefits 9.3 crore farmers and distribute around Rs 20,000 crores.
