Random Thoughts

Modi Sworn in, what next?

Narendra Modi has turned out to be something like Santa Claus for his political party Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). His victory in Gujarat assembly elections has sprinkled life back into the second biggest political party in India. BJP was living on the sidelines these days with no major agenda to threaten or derail the ruling Congress government at the Centre.

The third consecutive victory of Narendra Modi may not be surprising for many observers though his opponents from Congress party seemed rather shocked. They need not be since Congress had really no agenda against Mr Modi during the elections. While Mr Modi was riding on the wave of the economic developments, which his party stimulated in Gujarat in last five years, Congress tried to create some controversy over Mr Modi’s stand in Gujarat riots in 2002.

Given that Mr Modi had already won an assembly election immediately after the riots in Godhra district, the issue could have hardly mattered this time around. Further, the aftermath of the latest elections tells that at one end, BJP lost a few seats compared to the previous win in 2002. The loss of seats was mainly in the non-urban regions. At the other end, its share in total votes has soared from just over 44% to nearly 50%. It seems that majority of the voters in Gujarat have decided to support the drive for development started by the Modi government in the state.

Mr Modi’s win has stoked strong expectations of robust progress in the state’s economic reforms. Apart from focusing on development in urban areas, Mr Modi also has to look into the reforms of semi-urban and rural regions given the loss of seats there. While he is expected to carry on with his agenda of economic progress, Congress may have to wait for some more time to gain power in the state, which is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, another Congressman who led India to independence.

Labels: Politics

posted by Ranjit @ 12/26/2007 10:48:00 am