The politics of better economics

It seldom happens when economic wisdom wins political argument. This is a reality of our democracy, which has consistently been ignored the basic temptations of its economy for achieving ‘unknown benefits’.

It is surprising to see Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar pitching for seeking special status for Bihar as his gameplan for upcoming elections and ahead. Undoubtedly this would be epoch-making for Bihar and the nation.

His renewed politics appears fair in crucial dimensions as he is determined to go ahead with ‘development’ and without accepting BJP’s unholy leadership. This move will strengthen the acceptance of his efforts for getting Bihar on the map of investment destinations.

As expected, Bihar’s CM saw huge gathering at his rally in Ramlila Maidan. As Congress is seriously considering on Bihar’s demand for special status, chances are of a smooth coalition in future. Bihar has come long way between 2005-3013.

Although the state can’t claim for ‘satisfactory’ overturn of all odds in its way, perhaps such realisation would do well. At this point, Bihar would be able to materialise its quest for industrialisation and farming sector with improved energy supply and additional developmental funds from center that would come through a special status.

For decades, Congress sailed on Bihar’s inert politics, which was dangerously thrived on the plagued socio-economic scenario. Congress has lost even its footprint in the state. It has lost its credibility long back in Bihar’s politics.
The CPI’s base almost diminished from its traditional basin-North and South Bihar.

It’s not surprising that Nitish Kumar has many takers. The BJP is out of touch and its Bihar unit has suddenly found the coalition with JD (U), nothing beyond the misunderstood Machiavellian notion of auxiliary services for a greater ally.

This is a misnomer, which no one is willing to understand. With many power centres but few recognisable leaders, BJP is trying to forget the good part, where its role was formidable in bringing Bihar back on track. Allured with non-issues and wrong choice of placing the baton of 2014 elections on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi will make NDA, a larger platform for chauvinistic politics.

With no appearance of third front, Congress would benefit in the emerging political scenario. However, it will be difficult for UPA-III to maintain the ‘complacency’. I am sanguine with the upcoming elections would make the position of country’s top executive post competitive and in action. For close to a decade, India has missed a leader in the PMO. Things would get uglier if this trend turns into a ‘norm’.

In a situation when Congress and BJP stand on low moral grounds and have no clear macro policies to revive our sinking economy, a leader like Nitish Kumar could bring much needed balance. It’s shocking to see left parties are not making mind for such alternative coalition, this is wrong on their part to believe that such democratic alliance would take place more effectively after the poll.

When the desperation from current regime is on an all-time high and the BJP is chasing its target, the time is conducive for bringing back progressive element to the economic and political governance. India’s corporate structure is bleeding with corruption and inherent incompetency.

The grammar of Indian politics has to be corrected to keep the country as an ‘emerging nation’.
Beyond the poster-hijacking, undeserving PM candidates would prove fatal. India can’t walk the Gujarat way, though Gujarat has to follow India’s footprint.

‘Profit’ can drive trade but not the democratic politics, and this Nitish Kumar knows well. He speaks for pluralism, he also understands the ‘economics’ better than most of the ‘over-rated economists’ ruining the country. Bihar is one example where good politics and economics coexist.

Nitish Kumar’s populism could do well to the masses. As a leader of Bihar, he is doing fairly well and would not fail in Delhi either.
-Atul K Thakur
Email: summertickets@gmail.com
(Published in Governance now on March22,2013)