Indian Political Situation

As India gears up for its General Elections between April and May this year, the largest democracy is looking at politics from an unexpected and fresh perspective. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is no longer the larger than life face of a hopeful India because of failing to deliver on most points, especially the catchphrase ‘good times for all’ that he used throughout his campaign trial in 2014. His fall from grace was never more visible than the last quarter of 2018—when not only did India witness the largest ever farmer rally against the Modi lead political party, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), but also BJP’s dismal performance in the State Assembly Elections, losing three big states in the Indian heartland.

In order to win the upcoming elections, the current ruling party will have to deploy more than just hyperbole to get through and actually get some work off the ground. It doesn’t help that the opposition parties are all coming together to ensure that the ruling party does not come into power, both— the Northern and the Southern parts of India has seen this trend on rise.

Despite the recent setbacks, the Prime Minister was cheerful in his New Year greetings on twitter, wishing fellow Indians health and prosperity. The BJP too seems confident in its ability to garner votes in the upcoming elections. Some part of this confidence might stem from the fact that the annual Indian Budget is coming up and the government hopes to win its citizens over with some bail-outs, concessions and reforms. What happens next, only time will tell but it is bound to be an exciting year for India—no matter the election result.

By Gunjeet Sra, Editor In Chief of SBCLTR