Hafta 480: Indian think tanks, Congress’s inevitability, ‘Ram’ in election campaigns
Apr 13, 2024
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Policy researcher Yamini Aiyar and senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai discuss challenges facing Indian think tanks, Congress's relevance in upcoming elections, and the controversy around using religion for votes. Rasheed believes religion isn't a major issue for voters. A fascinating discussion on policy, politics, and election strategies.
Policy research in India has shifted towards more corporate inputs, challenging traditional 'jholawala' approaches.
The Congress party remains crucial in Indian politics despite criticism and questions about its relevance.
Centralization of power within political parties hampers inner-party democracy and promotes personality-based politics.
Money and muscle power play a significant role in Indian politics, affecting candidate selection and party dynamics.
Understanding parliamentary democracies is vital to grasp the true mechanisms of governance beyond individual leaders.
Deep dives
Importance of the Congress Party in Indian Politics
The Congress party, despite significant criticism and challenges, continues to play a crucial role as the principal opposition party in Indian politics. Its historical significance and structure make it inevitable in the current political landscape. While facing setbacks and internal challenges, the Congress Party remains essential for maintaining a balance in the political arena.
The Influence of Gandhi Family in the Congress Party
The leadership of the Gandhi family within the Congress Party remains integral for the party's unity and functionality. While the Gandhi family has faced criticism and scrutiny, their presence is crucial for the Congress Party to stay cohesive and continue as a significant force in Indian politics.
Centralization of Power in Political Parties
The trend of centralized power within political parties, not limited to Congress but across all major parties, poses a significant challenge to inner party democracy. The centralization of power around a singular leader or family member signifies a broader shift towards a personality-based politics, impacting decision-making and intra-party dynamics.
Role of Money and Muscle in Indian Politics
The prominent role of money and muscle power in Indian politics has led to an environment where entry into politics is often determined by financial resources and influence. This dynamic influences candidate selection, party structures, and overall functioning of political parties, contributing to the centralization of power and limiting intra-party democracy.
Understanding Voting Dynamics in Parliamentary Democracies
In a nuanced discussion of voting dynamics in parliamentary democracies, a listener critiques the focus on individual leaders like Modi versus Rahul in Indian elections. Emphasizing the importance of voters electing MPs who then determine the PM, the listener suggests a panel discussion on how parliamentary democracies function, highlighting the need for greater understanding of governance mechanisms.
The Role of Leaders in Shaping Election Outcomes
The debate touches on how individual leaders like Modi and Rahul influence electoral outcomes, with a nod to the significance of their personalities in garnering support. The listener underscores the role of effective communication and leadership projection in shaping voter decisions, especially in a system where leaders play a prominent role in the election process.
The Impact of Leader-Centric Politics in India
Examining the impact of leader-centric politics in India, the conversation delves into how leaders such as Modi and Rahul feature prominently in the electoral narrative. It reflects on the implications of personifying the electoral battle around specific leaders and the need for a deeper understanding of the democratic process beyond individual personas.
Importance of Free Press
The podcast episode discusses the significance of a free press in maintaining checks and balances on authority. It highlights the role of media in scrutinizing the actions of those in power, emphasizing the importance of public scrutiny. The episode quotes from 'Facets of Law' by Madhav Diwan, pointing out that those in authority dislike being held accountable through free press, showcasing the power of media in promoting transparency and accountability.
Political Insights and Audience Interaction
The episode delves into various political insights and interactions with the audience. It covers diverse topics such as political ideologies, voter perceptions, and party manifestos. Audience members express opinions on political leaders, media biases, and the complexities of Indian society. The episode also features recommendations on books, articles, and podcasts, enriching the audience's understanding of current affairs and political dynamics.
This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, and Jayashree Arunachalam are joined by policy researcher Yamini Aiyar and senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai.
On the challenges facing think tanks in India, Yamini says working in policy has “moved from jholawala inputs to suit-boot inputs” over the years, referring to the increased corporatisation.
The panel then discusses the Congress manifesto, and the party’s relevance in the upcoming elections. Abhinandan asks, “Is the Congress inevitable?” Rasheed says the grand old party is “not a dead body. It is very much alive and kicking.”
The conversation then moves on to the controversy around Ramayana fame actor Arun Govil campaigning in Meerut with a photograph of the deity Ram. On the use of religion for votes, Rasheed says it’s “not an issue” for voters in India.
This and a whole lot more. Tune in!
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