IYR Krishna Rao

2019 elections saw  BJP wave across the country. The same was absent in Andhra Pradesh where they got less than 1% vote share far less than it's traditional  vote share even when there was no wave across the country. There are reasons peculiar to  Andhra Pradesh for this to happen. Polarisation was so sharp and anti incumbency against  TDP government was so intense people looked for an  alternative who can replace the TDP government and hence even otherwise traditional voting to BJP went to YSRCP a party  perceived  to be in a position to defeat TDP. The other reason was Telugu Desam party and its friendly vernacular  media succeeded  in presenting to the public that  BJP did not honour the commitments  made at the time of state bifurcation and is  the  root cause of all the financial problems of the state post bifurcation.But this election also opened political space  for BJP to get strengthened in Andhra Pradesh since results left Telugu Desam party totally dissimated. Pol

Normally certain portions of the manifestos of political parties keep on recurring from one manifesto to the other. They are perceived both by  the parties as well as the public as statements of  intention and neither take seriously their implementation. When in 2019 BJP manifesto removal of article 370 and 35 A was  mentioned the expectation from the public was also the same. Since there was also a general  popular perception that  constitutional amendment was required  to remove article 370 and since  BJP did not get the two thirds majority required for the constitutional amendment there was no great public expectation that this would be implemented by the BJP during this tenure. But suddenly during the last days of this parliament session the presidential order removing article 370 as well as 35a  was brought to the parliament for its approval. A provision (3)of article 370 which provided for the abolition or modification of article 370 through  presidential notification was s

Elections are over. Narendra Modi is back in saddle with a clear, resounding victory. BJP on its own got clear majority and with the allies nearer the two third majority.  This is quite remarkable given the fact that after the era of Jawaharlal Nehru no other leader got such an endorsement from the electorate for a second term in succession.  That also brings with it a heavy responsibility of fulfilling people's expectations which needs a clear cut people-centric agenda for implementation.  Prime Minister has done well to emphasise inclusive agenda which takes care of the minorities when he spoke to the members of parliament on his election as the leader of the NDA.  In the run up to elections opposition as well as a section of the media whom the prime minister's rightfully described as 'Khan Market gang' vitiated the atmosphere by claiming that minorities will be unsafe if BJP returns to power.  Western media also joined hands with these forces i