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 The 2020–2021 farmer protests, which were sparked by the controversial farm laws that were later repealed, drew significant public attention, with criticism directed at the use of force and the management of the situation.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.
The older readers of National Interest will say I have said this before,
At least the editor should go through the articles before publishing them, this site is theprint.
End of the day, public need to be aware of why the need to cast their vote and to whom they should vote, high time public uses NOTA. Even if election commission decides to have a re-election. Today all politicians are here to use power & money either to fill their treasurey or their party treasurery . Do an eye wash of development work in their constituency. High time we have open debate on what has a particular minister or mla has done in her / his constituency.
Is age the only contributory factor for Mr. Shekhar Gupta becoming senile? Arnab Goswami never tires telling his viewers about the kosher of “Luytens Delhi”, and this case collaborates his rants.
2G licenses were cancelled and never revoked – some companies were fined and executive careers got backtracked. The Court has never thought it right to revoke the old judgement. It has just let go the culprits since Luytens Delhi conveniently decided not to bother. Everyone will forget and forgive this scam and move on. In one way, these kinds of judgements are good. They pave the way for newer cases.
An ex Cand AG official
R P Singh had the guts to question the fictional loss – but he was silenced – he is in the heaven who will be having the last laugh!
A brilliant article that leaves the common man perplexed and helpless
The prosecution failed because it tried to pin the scam on Raja and DMK alone. Raja rightly argued that he kept MMS and the PMO in the loop. In trying to carve out Raja/DMK as the guilty party, the prosecution wrecked its own case by failing to prove criminality. Had MMS /PMO also been investigated the case would have been much stronger. This is how corruption survives in the country. Arguing about zeros or lack of them. Vinod Rai was correct and supreme court took cognizance of his observations. This is BJP’s moment of truth – will they follow up or just yell on TV channels.
It was good ‘choreographed’ scheme to milk the nation’s safe by UPA -2 regime. Place A Raja in Telecom Department
as head, being a lawyer, he can come out of a net. He then played manipulating game; changing closing dates to favor few and blocked others illegally; pretending PM or PMO and Finance Ministers are not in the loop. CBI caught and prosecuted him (and Kanimozi) alone and not PM/ PMO/ Finance Minister or whole group of ministers.
This happened under UPA -2 watch; Scam , CBI inquiry, appointment of SPP, and other prosecutors, and whole plan to delay, misguide the court and public and A Raja being experienced lawyer defended himself, that he was not alone as prosecution says and is not guilty as charged; Learned Judge agreed here; but Learned Judge did not say- PMO knew and whole team of ministers are JOINTLY responsible for SCAM (loot) as they were not put as co-Conspirators (Co-respondents) !? It was a well ‘choreographed’ scheme. Delay,,, wait,,, people will forget and all can be set free . Big loot money- Rs: 1.76,00000,0000000.00 and lot of greasing power, in Banana Republic, and NOTHING HAPPENED. CHOR MACHAYE SHOR…. SPP blame others, Judge blames CBI prosecutors and 7 more years to arrive at the point zero .Great Country like India is fooled by native sons; fooled repeatedly, Gobbldeegooks folks. Yours and mine money. Who is in charge of investigation ??? UPA and NDA both.Politicians and lawyers and judges enjoy…. you watch, What a country ???
Oh my God!! How stupid do you think general public is? Why shouldn’t the telecom sector pay the fair price?? The country has a population of billion plus people. We are being so tight fisted about such things is exactly because we have a huge market. People like you will most probably give away public roads free of cost to coperations because why not? We need some one to maintain them, why be so tight fisted about basic infrastructure needs. While we are at it, let’s give coal mines worth billions for much less price because again why be so tight fisted about basic energy needs. The cooperation can do whatever the hell they want after they have looted the general public. Seriously how solid out are you??
Very good article. Unfortunately, when you say the CAG figures were exaggerated, the mesmerised people will immediately turn on yoy-you congressional. We have come so.much to believe sab chor hain, that any counter argument makes you look like you have benefited by the scam. Real scams go unpunished.
Sorry for the auto-correct.
Absolutely brilliant article, one that causes a rethink. I appreciate the perspective, information, objectivity and balance. Thanks.
Belief in judicial system is degrading day by day… Everybody knows judges are corrupt too. They just know how to paralyze development works and govt. Stop collegium and conduct examinations for recruitment like IAS under UPSC.
Even a cursory reading of extracts from the judgment suggests that the prosecutors’ heart was not in pursuing the case to secure merited convictions.