Balancing sweeping economic reforms with targeted welfare policies will figure high on Modi’s list of new priorities, even as he tries to consolidate his foreign policy gains
Policies are framed the way the political class interprets the mandate. Narendra Modi rode to power in 2014 on an anti-corruption juggernaut. After a cabinet meeting on May 27, a day after he was sworn in, Modi announced the setting up of a special team to unearth black money. His subsequent decisions—be it demonetisation, the law prohibiting benami transactions or even the goods and services tax—were all aimed at stemming the rot.
The 2019 mandate, which Modi termed a pro-incumbency wave, was even bigger. The BJP got more than 50 per cent votes in 224 of the 303 seats it won. The BJP recorded its highest vote-share jumps, of more than 6 per cent, in constituencies that were largely rural. The saffron party got over 22 crore votes, around five crore more than in 2014. The mandate surprised political observers, as it gave no indication of rural or farmer distress. Even dalits and scheduled tribes voted overwhelmingly for the BJP, as evident from the party’s huge margins in many constituencies.
Nationalism was a key theme that influenced voters. Modi pushed his muscular doctrine on Kashmir, national security and bilateral relations, particularly with Pakistan and China, which won him overwhelming support from first-time voters and women.
Hindutva was another factor that worked in his favour. The cultural agenda of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya will be a priority for the new government, along with the removal of Article 370 (which gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir) and Article 35A (which allows the assembly to define permanent residents of the state). Infrastructure development, poverty alleviation and the formulation of an education policy will also figure high on the list.
Denne historien er fra June 09, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra June 09, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock