Ideology is secondary for most of the regional parties
Experience shows that the prospects of an ‘alternative political alliance’ against the BJP at the Centre are slim
The BJP often talks about how the party’s success in elections is a great “ideological victory” and the clear message is that politics is just a means to achieve the primary ideological goal of establishing a unitary Hindu cultural nationstate for India. The BJP differentiates itself from other political parties because it is committed to pursue its own distinctive ideology.
The BJP’s main rival, the Congress, has its own distinctive ideology of cultural pluralism, secularism and equal respect for linguistic and religious diverse groups. The BJP has recognised this and its leadership has announced that its political goal is to create a Congress-free India. However, at present, the Congress, on its own, cannot politically and electorally compete against the BJP, which is marching from Kashmir to the North-East.
The Congress can effectively challenge its main ideological opponent only if it can form an alliance of like-minded parties committed to the goals of a democratic, secular, parliamentary, plural political system as mentioned in the Constitution. A few facts may be mentioned to substantiate the argument that the prospects for the formation of an “alternative political alliance” to the formidable BJP do not seem too bright. First, it was expected that the Bihar model of the Congress-RJD-JDU Mahagathbandhan, which could successfully defeat the BJP in the state polls in 2015, would be replicated at the national level. The Bihar model collapsed like a house of cards and it was once again proved that unlike the BJP and Congress, regional parties and leaders are practitioners of opportunistic politics.
Second, the CPI(M) is intellectually, ideologically and politically equipped to understand that Indian politics is polarised between the BJP and Congress. However, it is not ready to form any alliance with the Congress to oppose the BJP. Third, Mamata Banerjee of Bengal, Naveen Patnaik of Odisha, KC Rao of Telangana and a few others are making an attempt to form a federal alliance of regional and sub-regional parties. On the basis of the experience of such opportunistic alliances, it can be unambiguously stated that this is a non-starter.
Fourth, J&K CM and Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti had the option to form a secular coalition government but she decided to form an alliance with the BJP. The larger issue is that many regional leaders do not wish to alienate the party in power because they expect favours from the Centre.
Ideology in politics is secondary for these regionalists because they look to the Centre for funds. Thus, it would be difficult for Sonia Gandhi to form any firm alternative alliance against the BJP by mobilising a large number of opportunist and unprincipled regionalists.