Politics India
This is really a big blow to the BJP and the government's hopes of survival. Mr.Vajpayee was perhaps unique in being from the liberal wing of the party, yet acceptable to the Hindu nationalists on the right of the party. The key question for the BJP is what they will look for in their new leader.
Members on the right will be pushing for someone who will take the Hindutva agenda forward, implement a uniform civil code, build the Ram temple at Ayodhya and integrate Kashmir fully into the union. However, the BJP's allies may not be best pleased with some of those policies and given their slender majority in Parliament, going down this route could risk an early election.
Alternatively, the more liberal MPs would want someone who would put reforms, lower taxes and privatisation at the forefront of their agenda. While they might be less agreeable to the party base, they would have a better chance of taking the BJP's alliance partners and the country with them.
The challenge for the BJP is whether they can find someone who will satisfy both wings of the party while governing the nation effectively.
Last edited by on Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
"My Fellow Citizens of India, today is a new but sad start, with the health problems of my friend and former Prime Minister Vajpayee has forced him to resign as Prime Minister of the Republic. I wish to extend my full and up most thanks to him for his service to India and wish him the best and a most speedy recovery. I would like to say that the President has just asked me to form the next government of India of which I have accepted.
I have not accepted this position lightly but accepted with heavy discussion with my friends and family. I have served in the Indian Army and know that I can provide a stable and prosperous leadership for the nation, our nation. I ask that you walk this road hand in hand with me from the beginning.
In the coming days I will be appointing people to Ministry level positions. These people will be the best in their respected fields rest assured. Again in closing I would like to thank the former Prime Minister and the President for their continued service to our wonderful nation. Finally, I would like to say that I am eager to get to work so we can build India further, my only hope is that my opposition members will work with us to help further our wonderful country!"
Mr.Prakharti has a tough task ahead of him. While his promise of following a policy of consensus and moderatism might help heal the divisions within the party, it might pose an obstacle to moving the Congress Party forward and positioning it to seriously challenge the government when a general election comes around.
Most people do not have a clear idea of where the Congress stands anymore. Mr.Prakharti certainly has his task cut out. The challenge for him is to develop sound policies that challenge the BJP effectively while keeping his own party together.
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