If there is one reason for satisfaction at the end of the elections 2026 -- and as we keenly await the vote count --it is the success of the Election Commission and central forces who have ensured deathless polling in West Bengal.
Polling went on well in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducerry as well. At the end of the vote count as May 4th will draw 'end' (close); we may see Congrats India; the best of candidates have won in all the four states and one UT. But this would be so much superficial.
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| Blogger and Hungry Stones: Tamil Nadu |
The entire set of political parties, the Netas and the voters may actually still underline one obvious thing - we need timely electoral reform. In more ways than one, closer scrutiny of our form of democracy means things are on ground "eroded" by the interplay of money, musclepower, treats, intimidation and the use of social media.
The main stream Media's role itself is under scanner? We have yet another element called Dynastic politics. It is almost with a sense of hegemony. If DMK wins; M K Stalin may make his son the chief minister. In West Bengal; the dotting aunty may prefer her nephew. In the case of BJP; it may not be dynasty. It's the high command. If Assam gets a new BJP chief minister - now or within next months - who all will be surprised? This is not peculiar to these elections in 2026 alone. At the national level; the Prime Minister has been often thrust upon the people.
It may be individuals - like Sonia Gandhi did so in 1991 'selecting' P V Narasimha Rao, who had almost retired. In states, BJP has surprised politcal pundits in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in 2023.
The Leftists were no better. They denied Prime Ministership to Jyoti Basu in 1996. They ensured Ram Krishna Hegde - with 'independent' mind should not get a chance either and instead the honour was passed on to a mofusil 'self seeking' individual called H D Deve Gowda.
In 1997, when carpet underneath Gowda's feet was pulled by the Congress leader Sitaram Kesri; Delhi's 'mutual admiration club' decided to honour a 'soft and good for all' character called I K Gujral.
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| Satyemava !! The Truth ? |
Our election candidates do not visit voters per se to know their 'real issues'. The so called party Manifesto or Sankalp Patra decide so. And in most cases - it's mixed of freebies and identity politics - caste, religion -- everything that essentially divides people. How many times, the Indian system and the Indian voters have ensured that the chief ministers, prime ministers and ministers must have proven experience in social welfare, any specific area of expertise and community and national works ?
That way - in 2026 -- (21 years before we reach 100 years mark); we may be still wondering -- how the prime ministers and chief ministers can guide the country's development journey along side 'inclusive politics' and effective national security.
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| People's Power in Display in West Bengal |
Now; what is the future of the state of West Bengal now?
How will development journey push in states such as Kerala and Assam?
Will Tamil Nadu still debate parochial and regional issues and can it ignore the real issue of poverty and 'under development' in select areas?
For the winners; frankly the electoral glories should be shortlived. Focus should be on governance.
In West Bengal even if the BJP can wrest power; the apparatus to run the Double Engine Sarkars will have to realise that here things could be more messy than what was Uttar Pradesh in 2017 or what was Bihar in 2005.
There are certainly areas where immediate changes will be necessary.
And they should come quickly.
There are multiple complexities as most states have has multiple communities. There is a great concern about growing regional imbalances.
And there are numerous issues related to Hindu-Muslim facets or the caste factors.
Ends
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