The fifth phase of the eight-phase election will be tomorrow, and the polling will all be over in another two weeks. The party or the parties that jointly can prove the majority on the house floor will govern until 2026 or until they have their majority during the period.
Looking at the scenario, though the BJP could have an edge, the game may be awarded to either party, the TMC or the BJP. Again, presuming that the win will be a closely fought one, the opposition party will be as large as the governing party, which will make it difficult for any reforms or major policy changes. Much time will be spent on mudslinging on each other. If the BJP comes to power, they will speed up the investigation cases and the TMC taking refuge under the courts, wherever possible.
If TMC comes to power, the Union Government and the BJP will resist the State with all its might, as a sustainable TMC State government could impact Modi-Shah’s image and the BJP as a whole, all over India. The State may make no headway, as big-ticket industrial investments will fight shy of the State and stay aloof. Mamata led TMC will find it difficult to resist the Central Schemes as she has been doing in the past. The Centre could swing the crucial CAA Damocles sword yet again, causing disturbances in the State.
If the country’s love is real, there can be only one way ahead, to respect the people’s mandate, whichever way the verdict could become of the polls. The only way ahead for the State is to stop being antagonistic towards the Centre and find commonness to survive and grow in the State and its citizens’ interest. For this, Mamata must sacrifice her ambitions to lead the Union Government and thus pose a challenge to the Centre. She would augur well to settle the State’s problems first.
Confidence building and diplomacy must begin immediately after 2nd May. Both the BJP and the TMC must nominate levelheaded leaders to form a team to identify cooperation and blunt the conflicts areas. If and when one wins, the other party must offer cooperation and assist in rebuilding the State, which is pathetic and seemingly with all hopes lost. It is important to keep political rabble-rousers, mischief mongers and chest-thumpers who could vitiate the atmosphere and spoil the smooth transition of power.
Every party has been advocating industrialization, seemingly without a solid plan. The State under Didi got itself trapped by its avowed stand to stay away from any land acquisition. Industries would not like to get into listless and long litigations for the sake of the land.
The State must simplify the land sales, land conversion laws, putting them on a fast track. Job creation must be of paramount importance, and all must create a conducive atmosphere for investments.
Constituting endless committees with Foreign diplomats posted in the city and relying on bitsy solutions from the foreign economists has brought no tangible results. The State has shunned local Chambers of commerce and local industrialists as if they were pariahs. The period 2021-26 must change the preceptory aberrations and convert difficulties into opportunities.
Sonar Bangla must become a reality regardless of whichever party winning the elections!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
