Unlike Modi 1.0 and Modi 2.0, the third term of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi requires the support of alliance partners like the JD-U, the TDP, the LJP-Ram Vilas Paswan along with other smaller and single-party representatives. The BJP itself fell short of a majority by 32 seats. Owing to the compulsions of a coalition, the government will not only have to accommodate the demands of allies but will also have to accord due respect and importance to each of them, besides finding ways to pursue and accomplish its poll promises.
Besides the headache of numbers game, the Modi 3.0 will also require a rigorous focus on improving the economic indicators to make a difference. Indian economy clocking a growth of 8.2 per cent in FY 2023-24 came as a big boost and has given a head-start to the Modi government in its third term. However, the growing disparity among diverse sections of the population promises to play spoilsport. Comparing the economic indicators to global levels, one gets to know that the country’s per capita income still remains low and far from desired levels among the G20 nations.
Unemployment and inflation were among the main issues during the recent Lok Sabha elections. The popular discontent over poor job scenarios was the reason behind the setbacks to the BJP in many constituencies. According to a recent report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai-based think-tank, India’s unemployment rate soared from 7.5 per cent in March to 8.1 per cent in April 2024. As per government data, the urban unemployment figures soared to 6.7 per cent in the Jan-March quarter, from 6.5 per cent in the previous quarter.
The Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and the Nitish Kumar-led JD-U, who emerged as BJP’s indispensable allies in forming the government have promised full support to the Narendra Modi government but they will also be eyeing special package and special category status for their respective states. These have been long-standing demands of these two parties, owing to the backwardness of the two states and with their kingmaker role this time, the Centre will have to ensure that it earmarks and allocates special funding for the same. Modi will now have to deal with this headache and keep his allies happy.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), along with the likely roll-out of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in some states were among the most popular policies of the Modi’s government in the second term. However, with new alliance partners in the coalition, it is likely to hit a roadblock for now, given the TDP and the JD-U’s pro-minority focus. Also, the Hindutva pitch of the BJP is likely to take a backseat as the comfort and convenience of the allies will have to be prioritised over the BJP’s core ideology, for the smooth functioning of the government.
