Impact of National Politics on State Politics in India
Answers
Answer:
The Indian political system used to be guided by union specific voting patterns and psyche before the advent of coalition era. However, this was largely due to the newly gained sense of self-determination settling in the minds of the public. When overt centralization started showing its colors and the regional problems became rampant, the resultant void and apathy was tapped by regional parties. Till 70s people voted in state elections as if they were choosing their PM and now they vote in the Lok Sabha elections as if they are choosing their CM. State politics is no longer guided by national politics like it used to be and this is reflected in the latest voting trends. Voters are no longer bothered by what is the equation between India and its neighbors, or its stand on global issues in the UN, or how the economy is managed, inflation, currency devaluation, massive unemployment etc. Rather, people are just bothered if they have their basic needs met as of the present moment. If they have food in their plates, if they can borrow loans easily, if their purchasing power parity is keeping up with the inflation rate, if farmers are promised loan waivers, if mere existence is guaranteed amidst rising insecurity, and so on. National politics sure has impact on state politics but it is again variegated as it is largely felt in the urban space and the rural space remains devoid of any “adulteration”.