REGIONAL CHAUVINISM AND MUSHROOMING OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Are we going back to the days of princely states? Posing this question to myself most often, is similar to finding pleasure in fooling myself. Because this curse is a perennial one and its genesis dates back to decades.

Regional chauvinism has much to do with mushrooming of political parties across our nation. The intention of most of the leaders being to score over their opponents by snatching one-upmanship by grabbing ministerial power at the centre or by bargaining with the national alliance or party with the capacity to stake claim to form a government at the centre. Nowadays national parties, both Congress and BJP are more than willing to accommodate any splinter party by pandering to their interests in the event of forming a government at the centre. They are very well aware the days of one party rule is a thing of the past. And in politics, democratic principles, traditions and ethics- all prove to be of not much value or importance and they are kept in the black-burner needed only on the occasions of celebrating Independence days, Republic days or on such days of national importance. Erosion of values, thinking on caste lines while choosing candidates for each constituency, even by the left parties, only criteria being winnability, more than efficiency and the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents, play dirty and despicable roles in Indian politics.

Take for instance Tamil Nadu. Once Indian National Congress was ruling roost in that State. Those were the days of one party rule. Today’s two prominent regional parties, DMK and AIADMK where once nowhere near that National Party. Later parochialism reared its ugly head and with the rise of parochialism the birth of regional parties abound such as DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK so on and on and on. The numbers are innumerable, on each alternate election, either DMK and its allies or AIADMK and its allies reach at the helm of affairs or the governance alternates between these two regional parties. Reason behind the rise of parochialism must have a lot to do with the policy of neglect adopted by the sole ruling party- the Indian National Congress- those were the glorious days of Indian National Congress while in power spanning decades. Fissiparous tendencies developed among the masses and their national outlook was at stake. Still claiming to be of national outlook though the fact of the matter is just contrary. The other day’s incident at Coimbatore was just one example. Army trucks coming from Hyderabad were vandalized by the followers of a regional party named PDK (Periyar Dravida Kazhagam) shouting slogans against the Government of India and Sri Lanka, thus expressing solidarity with hapless Tamilians stranded in Sri Lanka. More than half a dozen trucks were set ablaze.

Similarly, joining power at the centre with any party leading government at the centre, either one of the alliances will certainly be there, the ministers take extra care to arrange funds for the development of their State, in the process neglecting many others. The one heading the ministry has no other way out except remaining a mute spectator. Arm-twisting after all is a painful thing (Comrade A B Bardhan, leader of CPI (Communist Party of India) on the occasion of an interview with a correspondent of a prominent national daily was found justifying the growth of regional parties across the nation with the argument that regional parties can contribute much to the growth of their respective states. Comrade Bardhan seems to forget a sad truth that with the mushrooming of regional parties in every state, it was always the national parties which were the ultimate losers and as a good example I would like to point out the state of Bihar where once the CPI (Communist Party of India) could maintain a formidable clout in Bihar politics. Then Lalu or Paswan were only fringe elements, both of them even unheard of among the masses and in the present situation CPI has become a fringe element.)

In Andhra Pradesh, TDP’s (Telugu Desom Party) rise is attributed to the cavalier manner the State was treated by the centre. N.T.Rama Rao, film-star turned politician took up cudgels against the centre, formed a party for the Telugus named TDP and attained power soonafter. Though Congress is ruling the State now, TDP is a vulnerable one to reckon with. The demand for Telangana State to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh is also gaining momentum and TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) under the leadership of K.Chandra Shekhar Rao is actively campaigning for a separate home-land with the support and blessings of other parties. If that part of the State was properly cared and protected by those responsible, the demand for separate Telangana would not have arisen. Andhra Pradesh’s movie idol and dancing hero, Chiranjeevee has also jumped into the political arena with the formation of Praja Raajyam Party.

The Andhra developments are a definite pointer to the gaining strength of regional parties and the tendency is not to the good of national ethos.

Bihar, has already joined the bandwagon of regional politics. Lalus and Paswans though claiming to be national have already ensured their places in the land of Buddha, reducing the once- dominant Party- Indian National Congress in to a virtual non-entity. The election scenario this time amply shows the place of the Grand Old Party in Bihar politics. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), once held some sway in the political heartland of Bihar. They are also out of the picture today. Party leaders think along caste lines and they be it Lalu, Paswan or Nititsh spare no efforts in wooing the communities like Muslims, Kurmis and Yadavs with promises and assurances in abundance. This State has also fallen a prey to regional chauvinism.

Orissa, once a strong-hold of Congress , is now in the hands a regional Party BJD (Biju Janata Dal) led by Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, erstwhile Congress leader.

UP (Uttar Pradesh), with 80 Loksabha seats, under Mayawati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), formed in the interests of Dalits, targeting Dalit vote banks by late Kanshi Ram and now led by ambitious leader Mayawati, aspiring to be a national party by joining hands with Brahmins and extending benefits to them along with poor dalits by propounding a new theory called social engineering is also not free from regional chauvinism. SP (Samajwadi Party) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav- he was once our defence minister- is engaged in a bitter fight with Mayawati. Former UP Chief Minister and expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh is now very much with Mulayam Singh. “Maulana Mulayam”, once affectionately called by the Muslims of UP found himself in the ditch with the deserting of a big chunk of Muslims to Mayawati. By keeping away from all his engagements in other States Mulayam has confined himself to UP to garner maximum number of seats thus proving his mettle to principal opponent Kumari Mayawati. On scrutinizing the trends in UP, it is very easy to note here the State which provides maximum number of seats has also gone the way of caste politics. Congress which ruled over the State for decades and BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) play only peripheral roles in the key State of UP.

On going through any State, it is not that much difficult to come to the sad truth that regional chauvinism and castes play crucial roles in 15th Loksabha elections of India.

Be it Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra casteism and ‘sons of the soil policy holders’ gain much clout among the masses.

We have no dearth of parties. What we are urgently in need of is somebody who could play positive roles in the overall development of nation as a whole. Better infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, irrigation facilities, elementary education, health-care to all providing nutritious food to the children, women and those below poverty line, women empowerment, employment and most of such facilities.

Parties multiplying on a daily basis. Even on ideological lines. But the lot of the masses remain same. At least those who split on ideological lines and form new ones are bound to ponder over it and arrive at a solution.

Parochialism and mushrooming parties never help in contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation- for that matter any nation.

Those who had monopoly on power for decades must make amends for it.