India’s current government is led by the Bharatiya Janta Party or the BJP. It is also the country’s largest national party. It was formed in 1980, though its origins lie in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was founded in 1951. The Jana Sangh was closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization that continues to play a significant role in shaping the BJP’s ideology.
The party first came to power at the center in 1996, but its government lasted only 13 days. It returned to power in 1998, forming a coalition under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister. His tenure saw India conducting nuclear tests in 1998, economic reforms, and a focus on infrastructure development. However, the BJP lost power in 2004 to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
The BJP made a historic comeback in 2014 by securing 282 seats out of 543 in the Lok Sabha, with Narendra Modi as India’s prime minister. Major policy changes include the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 that criminalized triple talaq in India.
The government’s handling of several protests and crises has faced widespread scrutiny. The 2020–2021 farmer protests, which were sparked by the controversial farm laws that were later repealed, drew significant public attention, with criticism directed at the use of force and the management of the situation. Similarly, the government’s response to the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests raised concerns over its handling of dissent, particularly the use of force. The BJP’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic also attracted criticism, especially regarding the lack of transparency around the death toll, shortages of medical resources like oxygen cylinders, and inadequate preparedness during the second wave.
Additionally, the ongoing inter-tribe conflict in Manipur, which erupted in 2023, has faced criticism for the government’s perceived failure to take adequate action, with accusations of poor crisis management and insufficient intervention in addressing the escalating violence.
Prof PK Sharma,Freelance Journalist, Barnala(Punjab)
Invincibility as well as credibility of PM Modi very badly jolted and eroded !
Naturally the captain and team is scared and panicky ! May, 2019 Lok Sabha Polls challenge now assuming
” nightmarish proportions” !
Taking people for granted as in 2014, the Modi tribe is still dreaming of befooling the masses in May 2019 by employing all
the weapons possible in its “political armoury” ! Floating the alleged “elimination plan of PM Modi ” in public domain is phase
one to corner glory in May,19 Lok Sabha Polls riding on sympathy pretext ! If phase one fails to click we should be ready
to go through many like such NaMo phases till May, 2019 Lok Sabha Polls test !
In this context, Shiv Sena’s dubbing alleged Maoist letter as”laughable” and NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s suggestion of BJP
playing “threat letter card” to gain sympathy are both convincing and up to the mark. During Gujrat Assembly Polls campaign
too, PM Modi using these tactics to woo public sympathy for votes lend credibility to Shiv Sena and NCP’s assertions !
The question arises when nation has a very well oiled PM security cover, let it deal with it very professionally and smartly?
Do we ever bother, how every day a large number of security forces persons have to sacrifice their lives defending Indian
borders- be it in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East region, Jharkhand and trouble torn regions any where in India?
NaMo has so far proved beyond doubt that his sole and only aim is to win elections enabling the BJP to top the world ranking
table and ratings. Where does nation stand in his views and thoughts in comparison to BJP’ ? Are BJP’s stature and popularity
concerns for him not weighing too much over and above India-that is Bharat ?
I am sounding a note of caution ! It is here the Indians have to distinguish whether NaMo led BJP is adhering to nation above everything spirit or not ? They must judge every political party, activist or candidate on this very fool-proof yardstick while exercising their right to franchise in next Lok Sabha Polls !
Wait patiently, we Indians will see so many NaMo feats and theatrics till May, 2019 ! It is just the beginning of the NaMo Show- Two
Series : 2018-2019 !
Prof PK Sharma,Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest, Barnala(Punjab)