Mandate uncertain, post-poll drama guaranteed
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 11, 2022 -

WITH exception of the uncertainty on whether or not the Election Commission of India would favourably considerthe appeal of Christian organisations to reschedule the date for the first phase polling, the stage seems all set to hold the election.

Unlike in the past four elections when the Congress party was a force to reckon with and helmed the affairs for three consecutive terms before the BjP-led alliance denied its return to power after the 2017 polls, it would be presumptuous to predict which party or parties will rule for the next five years.

Though the BJP appears to be leading the race on paper, especially as the party is calling the shots in New Delhi, the entry of Janata Dai-United with substantial number of political heavyweights in its rank as well as some strong contenders among the rookie candidates makes the election unpredictable.

Moreover, the growing stature of BjP's allies NPP and NPF would definitely make the saffron party uneasy.

Among the parties in the fray, the Congress suffered the most in the past two-three years after nearly half of its sitting MLAs, including prominent figures, defected to the arch rival BJP.

Regardless of the series of setbacks, it is an undeniable fact that the Congress still has many with high winnability factor and would leave no stone unturned to unseat the BJP at any cost.

The recent development in Meghalaya where all the remaining Congress legislators joined the NPP-led MDA government, possibility of the two parties deciding to forego ideological differences to stake claim for government formation here cannot be ruled out, if they have the numbers.

Interestingly, involvement of multiple national parties in the electoral battle this year seems to have changed the campaign narrative to playing the developmental cards and attempting to demean both friendly competitors and sworn rivals compared to the past when the campaign used to be centred on communalising issues.

For instance, the 2017 assembly election preceded by creation of new districts and consequent enforcement of the record-breaking economic blockade was marked by individual candidates and party leaders stirring up ethnic sentiments and berating at the blood brothers.

From every perspective, the previous election was viewed by many as a referendum on sectarian line and nothing to do with developmental politics.

Though non-tabling of the contentious ADC Bill continues to be the favourite topic for a handful of hill-based politicians of parties within the ruling alliance, the intensity is not at the expected level probably due to the realisation that they might be part of the same 'anti-tribal' multi-party government after the polls.

Nevertheless, the next few weeks will see the candidates and their leaders trying to rake up identity politics among other issues.

Thus, it could be safely stated that the ensuing assembly elections will witness yet another fierce competitions, both during the remaining days of the campaign period and after announcement of the election results as no party or legislator would relish warming the opposition bench for the next five years.

Rather everybody would be eager to sup with the party in power for ensuring longevity of his/her career in the lucrative business of politics.