India’s opposition parties come together for a cause

There’s a rapid cohesion guided by the archetypal principle of an enemy’s enemy being a friend

If a strong gust of breeze is a pointer to a prediction of the weather to come, the loss of a by-election in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh last week is a precursor to the changing winds blowing across India’s political landscape. The defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Kairana by-polls to a coalition opposition is but another pebble in its shoe as it strides towards the 2019 general elections, a pebble many political experts seem to think will take on the dimensions of a boulder given the rapid cohesion of the opposition parties who are being guided by the archetypal principle of an enemy’s enemy being a friend.

This solidarity, which cannot be termed new-found as it had distinguished itself thus far only for its intermittent attempts at a commonality of purpose, and more often than not come apart at the seams, is now however looking to be a far more real, and potent, force.

This is of particular interest, not just to political analysts but also to the voters given the inherently contrasting ideologies of many of the opposition parties, as they will now be scrutinised for their ability to transcend their political expediency and show a seriousness of intent that is ultimately aligned with people’s welfare rather than just a desperate attempt to thwart a common foe.

Political parties that were well into contemporary political oblivion and have been given a new lease of life need to take particular heed of this.

A double-edged sword, this unity of intent may slash deeply at the BJP’s musculature but equally, it can also cut to the bone of the opposition’s credibility if it falters.