Some people are talking of BJD-BJP bonhomie again after election results are out. I can assure you that things will not be the same post 2024 elections. Regional parties for bigger role at center after election.
The third phase of elections is over and almost a half of the Lok Sabha seats are covered. The social media is abuzz with speculations that the low percentage of voting will go against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
State parties will be provided with an opportunity to play a bigger role, irrespective of their alliance with NDA and INDIA or ‘equi-distance’ from both the formation
Earlier, we used to believe that a high voter turnout is invariably against the ruling party. Now an opposite theory is being propounded.
But looking at the political situation all over the country, it is certain that the Congress party will improve its position and may cross 100 seats and the BJP will suffer a loss of about 50 to 60 seats in different states taken together. In states like Bihar and Maharashtra, the BJP’s alies may suffer more than the national parties.
In Odisha, whether the BJP will surpass its own tally of eight Lok Sabha seats in 2019 is anybody’s guess. I did not believe the 120-seat target of the BJP for the Odisha Assembly in 2019 and this time also I do not believe their claim of forming the government in the state after the 2024 elections.
Only a joker can claim all 21 Lok Sabha seats of Odisha by the BJP, although a joker card is of prime importance in a pack of playing cards at times. The Biju Janata Dal is likely to hold its ground. Look at the amazing campaign by the BJD leader who is the prime target of the opposition, particularly the BJP.
The Congress lost a golden opportunity in Odisha although it got a clear eight months’ time to set its house in order. But it squandered away its opportunity by February. Just out of curiosity, I want to ask a question to Congress leaders, although I have no right to ask, as to how many candidates were given tickets (147+21) from the applicants who applied through Pragaman App, which was touted as a great innovation.
Some people are talking of BJD-BJP bonhomie again after election results are out. I can assure you that things will not be the same post 2024 elections.
State parties will be provided with an opportunity to play a bigger role, irrespective of their alliance with NDA and INDIA or ‘equi-distance’ from both the formation as in the case of the BJD.
(Bhabani Shankar Hota is a former Lok Sabha member from Sambalpur)