Growing Consensus

Growing Consensus

However, on many crucial issues, a broad agreement has emerged among most parties. In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties.

This consensus consists of four elements

First is the agreement on new economic policies – while many groups are opposed to the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new economic policies. Most parties believe that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.

Second is acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes – political parties have recognised that the social and political claims of the backward castes need to be accepted. As a result, all political parties now support the reservation of seats for the ‘backward classes’ in education and employment.

Third is the acceptance of the role of State level parties in the governance of the country – the distinction between State level and national-level parties is fast becoming less important. State-level parties are sharing power at the national level and have played a central role in the country’s politics for the last twenty years or so.

Fourth is an emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without ideological agreement – coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power-sharing arrangements.

Therefore, all these momentous changes are going to shape Indian politics in the near future.