Success or lack of it in the just concluded assembly polls will help parties determine the changes required to remain relevant in present day politics. At the present, parties mostly project their ideology based on their formative structure but, as they go forward, they will feel the need to respond to the electoral choices made by the public.
The Samajwadi Party, for instance, began as a hardcore socialist organisation that sought to provide social justice to underserved ‘backward sections’ identified by castes. With the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, socialism remains only in name and caste dominates. The dominant among the Backward Castes turned it into what it is now, more or less a family enterprise. This approach has worked, so far, and it is only a changing public mandate that could make it anything different.
A more recent example is that of the Aam Aadmi Party that had a large groundswell of support following the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare. People identified strongly with the ‘Gandhian’ model of public service proposed by Arvind Kejriwal. And, yet, how it all turned out in the space of a few years is evident to all, today. The numerous intellectuals and social activists associated with this ‘movement’ were almost all sidelined, leaving the party in one person’s hands. It is now just another contender for power.
The regional parties like the TMC and DMK that have flourished on the basis of ‘identity politics’ are also patently family enterprises. They are so deeply invested in this approach that it will require massive setbacks in the assembly polls to even consider ideological transformation. In the case of the TMC, however, removal from power could lead to near disappearance like that of the Communist parties.
If the BJP does not make enough headway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, it will have to reconsider the articulation of the ‘nationalist’ plank which is based on what it describes as civilisational roots, but are looked upon by most as a ‘Hindu’ movement. Considering the fact that it is more of structured and democratically functioning political party, it is already hoping to evolve further in the name of the women’s reservation cause.
The other ‘national’ party, though it has roots based on long term association with local leaders in most states, is taking a gamble on the radically ‘woke’ approach articulated by dynast Rahul Gandhi. Thus far, it has not found much traction with the people, but it is part of the overall buffet being served in Indian politics.
There is a general tendency among the opposition to challenge the constitutional institutions. Hopefully, the voters will ensure that this does not weaken the nation’s power to remain united.
