“I’m deeply concerned by the election results; the Republic has no reason to celebrate”

1 month ago 114

I'm deeply concerned by the election results; the Republic has no reason to celebrate: Yogendra Yadav, National Convenor, Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, to Karan Thapar for The Wire. ......................................... In an interview to discuss the election results that were announced yesterday (the 4th of May) as well as what they mean for India as a whole and what they suggest about the BJP’s hold over the country, Yogendra Yadav, the National Convenor of the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, has said he is deeply concerned, adding he doesn’t believe the Indian Republic has reasons to celebrate the outcome. “As a democrat, as someone who thinks about the future of the Indian Republic, I am deeply concerned. I don’t resent the winners. They have every reason to celebrate. But does the country, does the Republic, have reasons to celebrate? I am not sure.” Yogendra Yadav argues that the window that seemed to open with the Parliamentary election results of 2024, but was steadily narrowing thereafter, is now firmly shut. “The window of opportunity that opened in 2024 with the Parliamentary elections, suddenly a whiff of fresh air, suddenly the country looked more democratic than it appeared for a few years, and suddenly it seemed as if things could happen, could change, that window became narrower after Maharashtra and Haryana elections and particularly after the Bihar elections. I think it’s safe to say that the window is firmly shut today.” In the interview, Yogendra Yadav speaks in detail about the results in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Bengal. I do not wish to give away what he has said. His is a rich, engrossing and revealing analysis that will help you understand the outcome of the state election results. You should definitely hear it for yourself. To help you, I will give you a list of the questions that were put to Mr. Yadav. Here they are:- 1) Before I talk to you about individual states, what's your overall impression of yesterday’s election results? Is this a good outcome for India or do you have concerns and doubts? 2) Does this result suggest the BJP is a shoe-in to win a fourth term at the national elections in 2029? - It controls the hindi heartland, the east, the west, and the north east. 3) Let’s focus on the details and start with Tamil Nadu. Are you surprised by the result? TVK winning with DMK a poor second and Stalin defeated. 4) Normally Tamil Nadu alternates between DMK and AIADMK. So if TVK has won is that a sign that the voters were not just looking for change but fresh faces? 5) What exactly does Vijay stand for? He’s deliberately given no interviews and the only thing he’s said is that he is against corruption. So what does he stand for? 6) What accounts for DMK’s very poor performance? Stalin, after all, had a fairly clean image as Chief Minister and his Party had extensive welfare schemes that were popular. Yet it’s been pushed to second position. How do you account for that? 7) Let’s come to Assam. The BJP has won over 80% of the seats. Even Upper Assam which used to vote for Congress seems to have been swept by saffron this time and Gaurav Gogoi has lost in Jorhat the family bastion. What explains this massive victory? 8) Most people will recall Himanta Biswa Sarma’s repeated use of hate speech. The fact that he called Muslims miyas and was nasty and cruel about them. Has hate speech won in Assam? 9) In Keralam, the UDF has scored a massive victory over the LDF. I know this has happened after ten years of LDF rule but did you expect such a sizeable swing? 10) The BJP has got three seats. That is way below the ten they were hoping for but it's enormously better than the zero seats they won in 2021. How much credit do you give them for that? 11) It was the Bengal election that everyone seemed to be talking about. What was responsible for Mamata’s defeat? SIR? Anti-incumbency? Loss of the woman vote? Or very substantial Hindu-Muslim polarisation? - Has the SIR cast doubt on the credibility of the Bengal election? 12) In 2021 and 2024 Mamata Banerjee won sizeable majorities in Bengal. That was comprehensibly reversed this time. Beyond anti-incumbency is this also a sign of over confidence? The Party was predicting over 200 seats. 13) Does the verdict in Bengal suggest that it might be very difficult for ruling parties to carry out truly secular policies which benefit Muslims for fear of consolidating Hindu votes against them? Is that one of the lessons that emerges from this outcome? Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.