Is India too waiting for a Macron to happen? True, there are differences in the situation: in France the contest was presidential and in India it is not. But, there are resonances nevertheless. BJP won an absolute majority in the last elections but only on a 31% vote. This means that a great many Indians did not vote for it, and even today are looking for a credible alternative.
The problem is that this credible alternative does not seem to exist, at least on a pan-Indian scale. Opposition unity is desirable, but simply an arithmetical coalition of disparate groups with competing egos is hardly a viable alternative and may, in fact, increase BJP’s appeal.
Our country is, therefore, crying out for a new political paradigm, anchored around a charismatic leader, who respects others but also enjoys nationwide respect, and can thus forge an overarching unity. This unity must take on board regional parties that wish to join, as part of the federal spirit that will animate the new movement. The qualitative difference will be that regional parties, and others, will now be part, in terms of overall ideology and structure, of a new and cohesive whole, and not merely cogs in a hastily devised rag-tag coalition.
This alternative must be proactive and not reactive; it should offer a new political vision that appeals to the widest cross-section of voters; it should be robust and strategic on security and foreign policy; drawing strength from the deeply inclusive features of our civilization and culture, it should send out a message of hope not hype. Instead of acrimony, it should offer amity; instead of exclusion it should offer inclusion; instead of cynicism, it should offer sincerity. Above all, it should hold out the promise of good governance, economic growth, equity, ethics, tolerance and social stability…
The time has come for India to seek its Macron who can seize the moment, and take the plunge from the known to the desirable. Will our polity be able to reinvent itself and rise to this challenge?
Pavan K Varma,
the writer, is a former diplomat, represents JD(U) in Rajya Sabha
