DNA Edit: Half-century rule?

This is perhaps BJP’s golden phase as its lightning strikes across India have met with feeble resistance from an ever-shrinking Opposition. But party president Amit Shah is looking at a much longer term of 50 years where BJP will rule the roost. His first step towards that ambitious dream is securing 360 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 general elections. Shah’s vision is backed by the developments on the ground. With each passing day, the wrinkles are being systematically ironed out. As JD(U) under Nitish Kumar formally decides to join the NDA, the warring ADMK factions led by O Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami have decided to bury the hatchet in a spirit of reconciliation.

It is said that the developments in Tamil Nadu — related to a possible merger — carry a strong whiff of BJP’s influence in state politics. As the Opposition looks helpless — much like a schoolboy who has failed a test — the saffron party’s unrelenting assaults assume greater precision. It’s strange how the Congress-led ragtag coalition is handing over the goodies to the BJP. Does this signify the death of political opposition in India? If yes, then it’s time to issue a caveat. Indians are aware of the pitfalls of one party lording at the Centre and states. They should draw from history when they look at the country’s future. However impossible it may sound, the Congress needs to pull up its socks.