Telangana elections 2023

 

(Fig - source)

November has transformed into a battleground for democracy in India with five states (MP, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Telangana & Mizoram) going to the polls. It is a matter of great debate among political pundits whether the outcomes of these state elections will serve as a prelude to the grand stage of 2024. While I'm no expert to comment on this debate, what drew my attention is how these elections are being fought, particularly in my home state, Telangana.

As a political science student, I am aware of the important role identity factors like caste, religion, language, etc. play in Indian politics. Renowed political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot once famously said, "Indians do not cast their vote, rather vote their caste". Which identity factors are important varies from region to region. In general, religion plays much less role in South Indian politics compared to North India even as issues like language and caste are highly prominent. This pre-eminence of identity attributes in Indian politics is understandable, given India's prismatic nature of society, which is in transition from tradition to modernity.

Yet, what truly astonishes me in the ongoing Telangana election saga is the near-complete sidelining of these ascriptive identities. The spotlight has shifted to pressing secular issues like development (welfare policies, youth unemployment, electricity, irrigation projects, corruption allegations, accessible governance), history (which party played what role in the Telangana movement), and pro/anti-incumbency. In a way, I felt, this should be a 'model election' for the entire nation.

Another fascinating trend is how well the top leadership is subjecting themselves to public scrutiny. Weeks ago when I stumbled upon a YouTube video featuring a prominent leader of the ruling party getting grilled by journalists in an open debate I was flabbergasted. I couldn't help but text a friend, exclaiming, "Since when have our leaders become so open to questions!". 

Leaders of all the major parties in the fray, KTR, Revanth Reddy, Kishan Reddy, etc. are exhibiting remarkable courage, competence, and conviction in handling challenging questions at various platforms. They amazed me with their statistical and thought-provoking responses. Their attempts to reach out to educated and young electorate and outreach programs with public intellectuals are commendable!

Equally captivating is the profound impact of social media on politics. WhatsApp forwards containing succinct videos, interview bytes, and cartoons simplify complex issues and help even a semi-literate/illiterate voter to make informed choices. The challenge of fake news notwithstanding, these technologies wield immense potential in shaping public discourse.

YouTube has emerged as a potent tool for political parties to connect with voters. Witnessing my 70-year-old grandfather glued to his smartphone, engrossed in political debates on various YouTube channels, I realize how this platform has democratized the election landscape. Even an independent candidate from a humble background like Barellakka from the Kolhapur constituency gained substantial traction just through YouTube.

Concluding thoughts:

Eminent political theorist Alex de Tocqueville once remarked, "in politics, the law of unintended consequences operates". This is particularly true in contemporary Telangana politics. Until about six months ago, the ruling BRS seemed invincible, with BJP gradually rising and Congress being nowhere in the scene. For instance, in the Mungode by-poll exactly a year ago, BRS won, BJP came close second, and Congress lost deposits. Fast forward a year, and Congress emerges as a formidable force. Political analysts debate whether it's the Karnataka victory or Bharat Jodo or anti-incumbency or just intelligent electioneering that is responsible for such a remarkable turnaround of Congress' fate in the past few months.

While the outcome of the Telangana elections remains unknown, the consequence of the rise of strong opposition is that it compelled the once-invincible incumbent to engage in an all-out, high-intensity campaign. Leaders are now moving closer to the people, explaining their track record, and vision for the future, apologizing for failures, and making assurances. All of this has shifted the balance of power in favor of voters. This, I believe, encapsulates the essence of democracy - where leaders, regardless of party, remain answerable to people.

Only time will tell whether democracy continues beyond the elections or if, as the French theorist Rousseau suggested, "Englishmen (Indians) are free once only five years".