Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Need to play positive politics' that was published in Newsband

Need to play positive politics

The Karnataka Assembly elections will be held on May 12 across 224 constituencies. The result of this election is bound to influence the elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, besides the 2019 general elections. Karnataka elections will be a test to both the BJP and the Congress.

If BJP wins, it will get a a foothold in the south. BJP is a party that is seen in the south as an essentially ‘Hindi, north Indian phenomenon. The Congress, meanwhile, needs a win in Karnataka to prove that it is the natural choice as the leader of any anti-BJP formation. Rahul Gandhi’s stature as a nationwide leader would once again be tested.

Can the Modi-Shah combine pull it off in a southern State? Janata Dal (Secular) is bound to split the anti-BJP votes. The Congress will depend heavily on Muslims, Dalits and OBCs. JD(S) and BJP will lean towards the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, respectively.

During the election campaign, BJP is bound to accuse Congress of ‘dividing Hinduism’ which is not untrue. But besides that BJP should also focus on socio-economic issues, agrarian distress and on employments for the jobless youths of Karnataka.

Voters should reward those who transcend identity politics and focus on key issues like jobs, development, dignity and rule of law for all. There should be transition from identity politics to development agenda in terms of jobs resources and dignity.

This election could be a trend setter. The wise thing that BJP should do is it should not be partial in the matter of development and allocation of resources. It should indulge in positive politics highlighting education employment and healthcare instead of playing mainly a fault-finder role.

The Election Commission should vigorously educate the voters as to the continued social relevance of the DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY enacted by the People in the Constitution in easily understandable manner in appropriate language. This would nudge the competing political parties and candidates to take those Principles seriously in drafting and defending their respective Manifestos before the electorate. The Election Commission may also do well to take the lead to organize town-hall meetings of contending candidates on common platforms instead of leaving each candidate to fend for himself/herself.