New Delhi: ThePrint’s Word of the Year for 2024 is “khatakhat“, coined by Rahul Gandhi during the Lok Sabha election campaign. The term, signifying promises of quick, attractive benefits, has had a profound impact on Indian politics, reshaping the political economy.
Unlike Prime Minister Modi’s 2022 critique of “revdi culture”, which failed to gain traction, “khatakhat” resonated because it was ideology-free, focusing on immediate, non-controversial benefits, like financial assistance and job guarantees, especially for women and farmers. This approach forced even the Bharatiya Janata Party to adopt similar populist strategies.
Rahul Gandhi’s proposals, such as the Mahalakshmi Yojana for direct transfers to women, loan waivers for farmers and guaranteed job schemes, struck a chord across India. His use of “khatakhat” became symbolic of the shift towards competitive populism, with states introducing similar schemes.
The BJP, initially opposing such ideas, quickly adapted, introducing welfare schemes like Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh. Even the Aam Aadmi Party joined the fray, promising financial support to women in Delhi.
Despite these promises, the Congress-led opposition alliance (INDIA bloc) couldn’t secure a decisive victory in 2024, with Congress securing just 99 seats. However, “khatakhat” reshaped national discourse, influencing state policies and elections, especially in Maharashtra and Haryana.
The key takeaway: Rahul Gandhi, despite not coming to power, managed to shift the political conversation, forcing the BJP and other parties to recalibrate their strategies around welfare, thus changing the landscape of India’s political economy.
In Episode 1582 of #CutTheClutter, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at how “khatakhat” forced BJP and others to adopt populist strategies they once opposed.
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