Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'How long will BJP last and is Congress finished?' that was published in Newsband

How long will BJP last and is Congress finished?

Bharatiya Janata Party won the Haryana Assembly election and emerged as the single largest party by far in Maharashtra. BJP now seems to be in a position to encroach on the national political space occupied by the Congress. Now, after a majority of its own in the Lok Sabha, the party is less risk-averse. The strategy to fight without major allies seems to have paid off very well, though in Maharashtra, where it fell short of a majority, the party might want to revive its ties with the Shiv Sena.

In its desperation to see its pramukh Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister, the Sena preferred to go alone. But what happened is that the BJP has increased its ability to dictate terms with prospective allies, not lower its dependence on alliances. In Maharashtra, it is a good strategy to go it alone. It is high time that frenetic groups are kept out of political power. At best, these two warring groups of Sena are there only to create frenzy laden with fear and to create a perpetual unrest in the Mumbai city and its suburbs. They always have a divisive agenda and thrive on the fear factor.

The Lok Sabha elections had helped BJP establish a strong foothold across the country. The high risk taken by Modi-Shah duo helped BJP score an illustrious victory in Haryana and an almost victory in Maharashtra, both Congress strongholds. It appears as if the Congress is being decimated to a regional party. The Congress is decimated in Haryana and is gasping for breath in Maharashtra, its poor third position in both States. So caste politics did not work here. These polls signal the death of feudalism in our polity. The Congress failed to come out of its obsession to cling to Nehru-Gandhi family as the sole hope and there was no leader of some substance who emerged. This trend of shrinking is going to continue. But looking to its sycophancy nature and it being unable to realize and appreciate the truth, and reconnect with the masses, everyone doubts whether it will ever be able to relocate itself. The lack of a charismatic leader and corruption led the Congress party into a great crisis. Both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly election are the examples of this crisis. BJP gathered the anger of the people and was able to turn into the votes. Congress had ruled and ruined this country for 60 years. People have now voted BJP and Modi with hope. How long will Modi and BJP rule this country is left to be seen.

The ever tireless Modi has proven his prowess, conducting numerous rallies in 10 days. It is now time for him to start acting and showing results. BJP should be always conscious of the promises of development it made to the country and in all the states in a true spirit of cooperative federalism and focus on quick results to remain as a party with proven capacity to deliver on its promises.

Yes, there is Modi wave going on in the country but we cannot deny the ability of local leaders of the BJP who won in this election. Hope, new government both in Maharashtra and Haryana would provide good governance and fulfill the aspirations of the people.