After the momentous mandate in Assembly Elections, Governemnts in three States and one Union Territory have taken charge. After a series of pulls and pressures, the UDF has finalised the Chief Minister candidate for Keralam. It is interesting to analyse the priorities and agenda of the new Governments, indicating the direction of future course in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
‘Bad days for… you know who’ – was Himanta Biswa Sarma’s cryptic post when he received newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. ‘No Prizes for Guessing, I guess’ was the equally indicative and still ambiguous response from Adhikari. Not surprisingly, the social media posts sparked discussion about infiltration, demographic change, and border security, which have shaped politics of the Eastern States in the last few decades.
The first Cabinet decisions of the West Bengal Government are indicative enough. The process of transferring land to the BSF to set the border fencing in motion began immediately and is likely to be completed in 45 days. Clearly, removing the roadblock to addressing infiltration is the Government’s first priority. As per the assurance given during the election campaign, the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat scheme was announced immediately, along with the necessary administrative measures. Other central schemes, namely Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishak Bima Yojana, PM SHRI, Vishwakarma Scheme, and Ujjwala Yojana, are also expected to be rolled out soon. Such measures are a clear shift from confrontationist politics of the previous Mamata- Banerjee-led TMC Government. The crucial meeting with top police officials, with a strong message to deal with the miscreants and criminal elements, ban on loudspeakers and religious gathering blocking roads, and crackdown on cattle smuggling and mining syndicates are symptomatic enough to convey the message to the radicals and commoners that maintaining law and order is the key concern for the Government. All these decisions are in line with the massive mandate given to the BJP by the Bengali people.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is not lagging behind in similar messaging and a clear agenda. He has been forthright in implementing policies to curb infiltration and save the Assamese culture, people, and land. Three key decisions of the first Cabinet meeting – the introduction of Uniform Civil Code Bill in the first session of the Assembly, task force to create two-lakh employment opportunities for youth and decision to hold closing ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika in New Delhi and the construction of a museum dedicated to the musical icon of Assam Dr. Hazarika at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati reflect on the seriousness about fulfilling the electoral promises made by the BJP. The Puducherry Government is also not lagging behind and focusing on making the coastal territory a tourism hub, again, as per the
electoral promise.
The Tamil Nadu Government also tried to follow its election commitments, but in a more cinematic way. The swearing-in ceremony itself was a dramatic and emotional melodrama. More like the US Presidential executive orders, actor–turned–politician C Joseph Vijay chose to declare the decisions to give 200 units free electricity, a dedicated fast-response task force ‘Singapen’ to focus on women’s safety, free bus travel for women, and anti-Drug Squads are expected populist decisions taken by the TVK Government. Interestingly, the same government that began the freebies spree announced its intent to release a ‘White Paper’ assessing the State’s financial status. It will be interesting to see how Joseph Vijay handles the coalition Government and continues with the populist policies. All these emotive decisions were undermined the day Udayanidhi Stalin yet again vowed to eradicate Sanatan Dharma. It will be a testing time for Joseph Vijay and his inexperienced Cabinet while handling the onslaught of Dravidianism on the Dharmic culture and sentiments of Hindus.
Keralam saw another level of drama. The UDF, after getting a decisive majority after a decade, found it difficult to find Chief Ministerial candidate for almost 10 days. The rift between the State and central units of Congress, and the pulls and pressures of an adamant ally like the Muslim League,clearly indictaes that the road ahead is not going to be easy. . The circus to finalise the CM candidate was figurative enough to gauge what is in store for Malayalee people.
In a democracy, the manifestos of political parties and the promises made during election campaigns are sacred commitments. The party that reads the mandate carefully and tries to deliver the promises made while maintaining the right balance between ideological objectives and financial constraints tend to get people’s support without any manipulation. By prioritising law and order and border security, the BJP Governments in Assam and West Bengal have demonstrated a determination to focus on issues that mean business beyond political rhetoric.
