2019 Lok Sabha elections: there was no wave but after the results, we realized it was the Modi Tsunami. The seats obtained by the NDA are over 350 and BJP alone got over 300.
The pattern of voting followed by the people was that of a top-down approach rather than bottom-up approach. In the bottom-up approach, people from their constituency choose their leaders. They go to Parliament and decide who their leader is (as per Article 74 and 75 of the Constitution). However, in the top-down approach, people vote for the leaders on the top. A charismatic leader becomes the face of party and the party garners votes on the name of the particular leader. In this election, Narendra Modi was the face of the BJP and Rahul Gandhi was the face of the Congress.
This system has pros and cons. Firstly, let’s have a look at the pros of this system which is followed in India currently. The first benefit is it stops policy paralysis and procedural delays as the decision is taken by one man in the Cabinet. Secondly, it helps to strengthen the federal system with a strong centre. Thirdly, it helps to eliminate discrimination and distinctions based on caste politics across the country.
In this election, what we witnessed in Bihar was that many people voted for Narendra Modi irrespective of the caste they belong to. In past times, especially during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s reign, caste politics played an important role in electoral strategy instead of development.
Now, coming to the cons. The first problem of this system is it doesn’t addresses regional problems. Moreover, it is not able to voice the problems of the common people in parliament. It solely becomes a platform for the PM-led council of ministers. Secondly, it brings autocracy and dictatorship in the country as a result of which people may feel suffocated in their own land.
Keeping these problems in mind, we should form our government as per the bottom-up approach,to achieve new heights.