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The NDA’s internal negotiations over several crucial policy issues, including One Nation, One Poll, proposed Waqf regulations and a probable caste-based census, will test the BJP’s ability to maintain cohesion in a coalition
The allies in the NDA, though in a tightly-knit coalition under BJP’s dominance, are showing rising assertiveness with growing regional aspirations and a few policy differences. (PTI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), bound by coalition dharma, is currently navigating mounting pressure to keep its allies intact ahead of crucial elections in states.
The challenges for the BJP come from Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which is raising questions over some of the proposed provisions of One Nation, One Poll (ONOP) as well as pushing for caste census. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan’s LJP is building resistance around lateral entry into the government and demanding inclusion of reserved quota. On the other hand, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP — along with HD Deve Gowda’s JDS — is seeking regional lifelines like railways, port and infrastructure projects, while resisting the idea of privatising Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) to remain politically relevant by safeguarding regional interest. In fact, the steel ministry is now working on a revival plan for the RINL, while the Narendra Modi government has allocated funds for multiple infrastructure projects in its ally-ruled states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
Even though the BJP’s allies within the NDA are turning up the heat and raising demands that reflect a complex push-and-pull dynamic within the coalition, the party at Centre seems to be managing the situation well while dodging a few bullets.
Seven months have passed since the NDA government was formed. The allies in the NDA, though in a tightly-knit coalition under BJP’s dominance, are showing rising assertiveness with growing regional aspirations and a few policy differences.
Patience is the key
A senior JDU leader said his party has used every opportunity to emphasise ‘public welfare’ by asserting their stand. “This is a coalition government, and every ally has a right to speak and express concerns, if any. BJP, even though the major partner here, listens to all of us. This is why the coalition is in safe hands. Modi-ji has been a very patient listener,” he added.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a vocal proponent of caste-based enumeration, has openly stated that he would like to have the caste census implemented across the nation. Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has voiced its disapproval of the government’s lateral entry move for government jobs, arguing it sidelines marginalised communities and entrenched party workers. This reflects the LJP’s need to shore up its OBC-EBC-Dalit vote bank.
In Andhra Pradesh, TDP has been pushing for several port, railway and infrastructure-development projects critical to its survival, while Karnataka’s Kumaraswamy has made similar demands, signalling a similar approach to their alliance with the BJP. These demands also highlight the increasing pressure on BJP to deliver on regional issues to maintain support.
The Push and Pull
While the BJP seeks to consolidate its national policies, the growing assertiveness of regional allies ensures that the coalition government runs smoothly, but with riders. Allies are leveraging their demands to assert independence and relevance, especially in states where the BJP is not a dominant force or struggling.
For the BJP, the challenge probably lies in balancing these competing interests without appearing to compromise on its own vision for governance and elections.
The NDA’s internal negotiations over several crucial policy issues, including ONOP, proposed Waqf regulations and a probable caste-based census, will test the BJP’s ability to maintain cohesion in a coalition.
