#indiaelection

TV is a regular background noise at my in-law’s place. It really is a noise, especially with the election season in full flow. I really do wonder if there is a training given to anyone who joins the political stream. You have to speak the loudest, you have to constantly interject when others speak, and most importantly if anyone questions what you or your party has done, then respond back asking what them or their party has done. In some parts of India, Holi is a messy festival. People play it with muck and throw it right at your face. This political season is surely continuing the spirit of Gobar Holi.

Few months back, I had the opportunity to meet individuals from different backgrounds in Dallas.  These individuals wanted to do "something" to assure a 272 victory for Modi led BJP.  These individuals were beaming with patriotism and desire to see a prosperous and better India. One was a young woman who was concerned about safety of women in India (she was from Delhi), there was a young man in his early 30's who was disgruntled by AAP (an ex-AAP supporter), there were people from almost all corners of India who were concerned about their home state development, and yes there was an old dadaji who was concerned about impending end of Hindu Dharma!  All of these individuals saw hope in Narendra Modi as they believed he would change the course of India's future for the better.  

These individuals mobilized and worked day and night to do whatever little they could to assure a Modi led BJP victory.  Today when the Modi led BJP has been given an unprecedented mandate, it is time for all the volunteers across the world to rejoice.  It was the perspiration of these countless volunteers that Modi has been able to pull of this miracle and decimate one of the most corrupt political party/family the world has seen in recent history.  

But now what?  In Democracy 101, it is understood that a democracy can only function well if it has a strong opposition.  This election in my opinion has eradicated strong political opposition in India.  Yes, the non-NDA parties have won 207 seats out of 543, but these MP's will not provide an effective opposition. By knowing Modi's style of functioning in Gujarat, he would work on creating "files" on individuals whom might choose to give him a good opposition (this reflects more on the compromised MP than on Modi).  Due to this, the only option India has is for the countless volunteers who worked day and night to get Modi elected to turn themselves into strong pressure groups.  

These groups can choose to divide themselves on issues like women safety, labor laws, cultural values, or even on the basis of one's State development.  These pressure groups can use their influence to pressure the government on important issues, thus preventing the government from becoming complacent due to the lack of opposition.  Another impact these pressure groups would have is that finally in India right-of-center political ideology (which describes most Modi supporters) can set the agenda, instead of the far left and the far right.