New Vice President, Old Politics: How Can Opposition Defeat BJP?
Jagdeep Dhankhar's emphatic win in the vice-presidential elections is another indication of the BJP's supremacy in national politics. BJD and YSRCP, two "neutral" regional parties, were more likely to vote for Dhankhar than disenchanted opposition parties. In presidential and vice-presidential elections, the national ruling party always has an advantage in capturing votes from parties that are not completely aligned with it. Regional parties understand that a vote against the Centre isn't worth the effort of antagonising these two positions, which have little political value. But the near-disaster of the monsoon session should prompt the BJP to rethink its strategy. Legislators will always have dissenting views, regardless of who is in charge. In parliamentary politics, legislation,...
Read More