Despite the ongoing number of votes, it’s fascinating to slice, dice and analyze the election. That might be good for the media. It might be good for social media comments. It may even be good for the public, as they try to understand whether their foreboding is right or wrong, and whether their votes made a difference. But it’s not a good thing for those who are seriously interested in politics.
It is important to hurry and avoid conclusions. Objective analysis is not easy in the euphoria of victory or the despair after defeat. Pressure from journalists and other fast-paced online platforms has led many to rush to write decisive conclusions about the election by midday, but the count is still ongoing. Many of them soon begin writing about the losers’ deaths, unaware that Indian democracy has witnessed hundreds of revivals of “declared” political costumes.
People and how they vote
Even after the final outcome occurs, we must be tentative and cautious. You shouldn’t jump at a quick decision about why people voted in a certain way. Many factors affect how people choose leaders, including local and ideological issues, party promises, and the quality of candidates. I think that quick evaluation or evaluation of election results should be avoided until you understand and evaluate the factors that led to the establishment of election results. This applies to Haryana and Maharashtra as much as the election results of Delhi Congress. In many ways, it also applies to the results of the 2024 Rok Sabah election results.
My purpose in this column is not to share my views on the outcome of the Delhi Assembly elections, but to emphasize a clear and important message. All day long I’ve heard veteran journalists and even politicians declaring the end of the Indian bloc. For them, I simply encourage them to take a closer look at the context and origin of its formation. In preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabah election, the Indian bloc emerged as an idea and platform to unite political parties that believe an alternative vision of governance is needed. It was a strategic decision and a mobilization effort.
India block as a cooperative compact
An alternative to authoritarian politics and policy had to be challenged from a collective platform. Throughout all meetings on the block, it was clear to the member parties that the cooperative could act as a compact, while a small number of members could trace the individual trajectory of a particular state. There was no objection to this. As a result, states such as Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal saw election contests between political parties within the Indian bloc. I must emphasize that as a compact of both ideas and cooperatives, the block remains essential and relevant, as demonstrated by floor adjustments in both Houses of Congress.
Three levels of electoral politics
Electoral politics operates at three important levels: tactical, strategic and fundamental. Tactical politics involves doing whatever it takes to win an election, even at the expense of solid beliefs. This approach undermines voter trust and weakens trust in the political system.
Strategic politics focuses on long-term planning. Sometimes parties with shared core values may cooperate for the greater benefit of the country. Such alliances can be justified if they are built on mutual agreement on key principles and goals. However, these partnerships must be based on honest discussion and clear understanding.
Fundamental values such as commitment and participation in democracy and participation, transparency and accountability, social and economic justice, and overall development are of paramount importance. These core principles should never be sacrificed for election victory. Partys that compromise the fundamental value of short-term profits risk losing public respect in the long term.
Effective leaders and party members prioritize strategic planning while staying true to basic beliefs. They usually avoid myopia tactical moves that may result in a quick victory, but ultimately could harm democracy. However, some people fall into this trap. Rather than succumbing to convenience, voters recognize and evaluate the parties who support their principles.
Political parties are developing long-term strategies that expand beyond a single election, aimed at building sustainable voter support over the years. When analyzing election results, it is essential to assess how these strategies succeed or fail. This is to provide deeper insight into Indian democracy.
Don’t throw away ideology
An important point from the Delhi election is the key role of ideological commitments in shaping the identity of political parties. A clear ideological stance defines parties, unites members around shared principles and goals, and provides a consistent framework for decision-making and policymaking. This ensures that policies remain stable over time, rather than being driven solely by short-term political interests. Without a strong ideological foundation, political parties risk fragmentation.
Voters closely observe political parties not only about their commitment to service delivery, but also about their consistency or lack of consistency regarding constitutional values such as freedom, dignity, and justice. In democracies where regressive trends are often misrepresented as progress, a significant portion of voters expect the parties to take a clear, principled position. Voters want to know whether the parties will stand by their side or abandon them, in response to the hysteria and responsibilities promoted by fringe groups and media stories.
As recent elections have shown, voters are consistent with parties that reflect their values and beliefs. A strong ideological foundation builds trust and long-term loyalty among supporters. An ideologically committed political party is effective in mobilizing bases and advocating for systematic change. Their clear mission resonates with the people and ensures sustained support even after election defeat. In contrast, parties with inconsistent ideological tactics often rely on opportunistic tactics and can change their positions based on public opinion or short-term political interests.
(Professor Manoj Kumar Jha (Rashtriya Janata Dal) is a member of the Rajya Sabha parliament.
Disclaimer: These are the author’s personal opinions
