“With friends like these..” – This saying came to mind as I watched the drama over ‘lateral entry’ plays out. As one astute observer, Sandip Ghose pointed out BJP’s problems come from its ‘friends’ not political rivals. Tavleen Singh’s recent article for Indian Express too added to the discourse on this topic.
Are BJP core supporters too demanding? Is it a thankless mission impossible to keep them happy? Or is it just the usual social media noise that has no electoral impact? What or where is the answer?
Before I get into that, let me clarify – this is not about blaming anyone. If I were to blame, I must first start looking at the mirror – after all, I have been guilty of demanding this or that from Modi Sarkar. But then, isn’t that our right as citizens, to demand and expect? Let us get into the details.
Too demanding?
I think the answer is yes and no, with perhaps yes being a bigger part of the answer. Let me elaborate.
When you compare with the CONLEFT ecosystem, the differences are stark. To them, getting the last avatar of the dynasty to occupy the PM/CM chair is THE mission and once accomplished, nothing else matters. The country or state can go to dogs, and often it did. However, incompetent or damaging their job is, they defend the last man or woman. ‘Brilliant handling of COVID’ or ‘he built that highway’ or some such narrative will be dished out as per the template and all else will be swept under the carpet.
If I were asked to list out the #1 factor that kept India back in the decades since so-called independence from one set of colonials, it must be the appallingly low standards they were held to. These corrupt brown noses dramatically turned into “fearless independent journalists” and cynical, critical academics once Modi came onto the scene. If only they had been 0.01% as demanding all this while, we may have crossed Japan!
I hear the complaint – BJP supporters ask for too much. Be it the much-maligned middle classes asking for tax cuts or the elites asking for reforms. Or the Hindu supporter base asking for an end to cow slaughter, freedom for temples etc. Or NRI and the IT-vity crowd demanding ASEAN or Western levels of liberalised economy as I have often demanded.
But the answer is also a big NO. Why? Because at the end of the day, BJP supporters are only demanding things that PM Modi or the BJP talked about and promised. Furthermore, they want a radical departure from the sloth, inefficiency, excess babudom, absent or decrypt infra, rotten government services, corruption and economic malaise, aptly summed up by the corrupt leftist ecosystem as the “idea of India”. That was the “India we grew up in”, and NOT the India they want their children to grow up in.
Unlike CONLEFT supporters, Hindu supporters of BJP or Modi care for the country more than the party or the man. Shouldn’t we be proud of it? Isn’t that the meaning of democracy? Isn’t that how the UK, USA or Australia works? When Thatcher, Howard, Biden or Blair turn out to be spent force, they are shown the door, and the party and nation move on. They don’t lick up after the dimwit corrupt dynast and keep fighting to get him the chair and then start licking more to collect rewards. Yes, that problem does exist elsewhere but not the degree as it is in India.
Having said this, let us get to the next point – what can be done, where is the answer?
It’s not the coalition
I think we are too quick to blame the fact that the BJP is running a coalition now. But the challenges faced have nothing to do with coalition politics. Land, farm and various other reforms were impossible even with 300+ seats. Did coalition politics stop the BJP from withdrawing the horrendous Angel tax terror for 10 long years and do it in year 11? That only takes a stroke of the pen?!
Some things will be impossible with 400+ seats too. At least if they are not handled better. That is India.
If anything, the coalition gives the BJP a chance to use parties with entirely different voter base and loyalties as sounding boards for ideas, feedback and insight. Frankly, it also gives an escape route.
Ask, but be practical
We must continue to demand the best of BJP and Modi Sarkar. But we must acknowledge the practical realities of how things work in India and offer a viable, practical path forward. Not just empty demands.
This is where I have a confession to make – I have been vocal about abolishing IAS – to name but one demand. Such things are impossible within realistic time frames even with 400 seats. Do I want Modi Sarkar to fight an impossible battle and go down in flames? Only to be replaced by something far far worse?
Of course not!
We are not and must not seek such vain glory. Because that will mean a return of dynastic loot, poverty porn and the resumption of leftist pogrom on Sanatana Dharma.
Instead, we must demand incremental steps that make a big difference over time. Each step must be doable. But together they must be huge.
First, do beta testing before going live! Any software guy can tell you that. Why not float some trial balloons that can be pricked away without much damage? Why announce something big and then take it back?
Second, I am sad to say that after ten years of BJP rule – there are still too many low-hanging fruits. Go after them.
Third – a lot of the action is still in the states. Do it there!
Fourth – let the demand come up from the ground – this means selling ideas to the ground. PM Modi is perfectly capable of doing this. That will be indestructible and self-sustaining.
Remember – given the chaos, fascism, destruction and dynastic dacoity the country will revert to, nothing is worth sacrificing the regime. That should be the bottom line.
