What is missing in this analysis is the reasons for persistence of strong regional parties in key states such as Tamil Nadu (where national parties are seen by major cadres as irrelevant/burdensome), Punjab (where Congress was simply unable to dislodge an unpopular dispensation) and in Haryana, where the INLD, a party run by a family not known for anything that can be remotely called integrity, still wields influence. Also, the analysis of Maharashtra overstates the MNS factor as I think extensive patronage system in place aids the NCP and Congress more than the Sena split. Finally, national parties in many places are becoming organizationally weaker because of infighting = well, a sort of paradoxical hypothesis - lack of regional strongmen in national parties leads to progressive organizational weakness, aggravated by an uninformed centralized leadership.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:38:50 +0000
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