It is a very intersting time for the Bhartiya Janta Party and National Democratic Alliance, at the center they are enjoying a great majority, but the euphoria is dampened the moment you look at the Upper House (Rajya Sabha). In the Upper house BJP led NDA falls short of the half way mark by a great extent. But a lot is about to happen in coming months and it will define the fate of NDA in the Rajya Sabha (RS). With state elections looming in 5 states by June and more to come later, the NDA might be able to turn tables here by December of 2016.
The election commission ha already declared the dates of elections in 5 (see table below) states and the political parties have started to work overtime to please people. We saw a glimpse of it just before the India versus Pakistan world cup T20 match, the West Benagl Chief Minister, Mamta Benarjee by calling upon film stars like Amitabh Bacchchan on one hand and calling upon Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim and others on the other side. Is the facilitation of Pakistani players a stunt to lure a certain set of voters!!! Hmmmm.... that only time will tell.
S.NO. | HOUSE/STATE | FROM | TO | ASSEMBLY SEAT |
| 1. | TAMIL NADU | 23.05.2011 | 22.05.2016 | 234 |
| 2. | WEST BENGAL | 30.05.2011 | 29.05.2016 | 294 |
| 3. | KERALA | 01.06.2011 | 31.05.2016 | 140 |
| 4. | PUDUCHERRY | 03.06.2011 | 02.06.2016 | 30 |
| 5. | ASSAM | 06.06.2011 | 05.06.2016 | 126 |
Now coming back to BJP/NDA, recently there seems to be a change in how Mr. Modi, is giving out his election campaign speeches. Be it talking about reservations and praising Mr. Ambedkar, or stopping his speech mid-way for the azaan (the mosque call for the prayer).
Finally it seems BJP has realised that state elections are very different from central elections, it is primarily because in states people have different problems and thus seek different kinds of solutions and have a different expectation of a leader. Although every one knows that the government can not do anything with majority in Lok Sabha only, but still when it comes to state elections people forget all about the Rajya Sabha, and vote based on local issues and contingencies only.
The BJP seems to have realised this and thus it seems Mr. Modi has suddenly become sensitive of local issues. They just need to go a step further and start promoting local leaders who should be on the forefront and not the national leadership alone.
Time will only tell what is store for the BJP in the upcoming state elections, but as a nation these elections will define the way the nation will move ahead going forward.
Finally it seems BJP has realised that state elections are very different from central elections, it is primarily because in states people have different problems and thus seek different kinds of solutions and have a different expectation of a leader. Although every one knows that the government can not do anything with majority in Lok Sabha only, but still when it comes to state elections people forget all about the Rajya Sabha, and vote based on local issues and contingencies only.
The BJP seems to have realised this and thus it seems Mr. Modi has suddenly become sensitive of local issues. They just need to go a step further and start promoting local leaders who should be on the forefront and not the national leadership alone.
Time will only tell what is store for the BJP in the upcoming state elections, but as a nation these elections will define the way the nation will move ahead going forward.
