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Journalism of Courage
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in its latest avatar of coalition politics, after the regime of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1998 to 2004, is different in one way — there is no talk of a common minimum programme on the table yet. Nor is there a clear move towards the appointment of an NDA convener as of now.
The NDA as an entity has continued even after the Vajpayee years, even though the BJP between 2014 and 2024 had a complete majority on its own. In the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, the BJP is 32 short of the majority mark on its own. Vajpayee, during his time as PM, was about 90 short of the majority mark, remaining in power with the help of a large NDA.
The NDA of today — with all allies pledging unconditional support, albeit key ally TDP looking for a financial package as the foremost priority to build the new capital of post-bifurcation Andhra Pradesh, and the JD(U) looking for financial assistance for Bihar — has as of now set the ball rolling for joint spokespersons to underscore the coherence of the alliance. That apart, the alliance isn’t looking at hurrying with any additional agenda.
The Vajpayee government, by contrast, stayed afloat on the basis of a clear common minimum programme that placed the BJP’s core Hindutva ideological demands — Ram temple at Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the demand for a uniform civil code — on the backburner.
“The tally of 240 for the BJP is not a number that necessitates quick movement for CMP. It isn’t 180, the BJP tally in the days of Atal ji,” a senior BJP leader had told The Indian Express after the Lok Sabha election results. Well-placed sources in the BJP spell out the same at present.
The NDA allies have also stuck to the theme of NDA convergence till now, without placing pre-conditions even where the allocation of ministries is concerned. “Ministries are the Prime Minister’s prerogative. Do you think we will face a problem from any ministry when it comes to asking for a good deal for Bihar?” a senior JDU leader had told The Indian Express after ministerial allocations in response to a question whether there was dissatisfaction within.
Moreover, with the Ram temple in place in Ayodhya, and Article 370 already abrogated, key agendas of the BJP have already been clinched, with the NDA no longer being an entity to keep them out of the agenda of governance. Both have, indeed, been clinched via a judicial and constitutionalist process, thus not remaining issues on which the Opposition can attack the NDA allies, or where the latter have to do much explaining to diverse sections of society within their states.
As for the Uniform Civil Code, all indications suggest that the Uttarakhand template — where states experiment with individual UCC laws rather than a national pitch for the same — is the way that the key agenda will gradually be tested.
The BJP, the dominant NDA partner, has looked to send a message of continuity till now — be it in the choice of the Lok Sabha Speaker or Union ministers — and will now plan its national executive after the Budget Session of Parliament amid key state elections. Meanwhile, as the membership drive of the party begins, it will also look at having a new caretaker or regular president, the latter is elected after one half of state unit elections are complete, and the process may happen in the next few months, with no clear deadline on the anvil.
