Would A Lack Of Majority Slow Down The BJP's Infrastructure Push?

Now that the dust of the general election has settled down, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) falling short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, the question arises: Would a lack of majority impede the BJP's ambitious infrastructure crusade?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electoral success in the last two general elections has much to do with visible development in the form of Bharatmala to Sagarmala, alongside its emphasis on Hindutva-inspired nationalism and a carefully planned network of welfare schemes.

However, with the recent shift in political dynamics leading to a lack of a clear majority, questions arise about the BJP's ability to sustain its infrastructure momentum.

For starters, in a scenario where multiple parties hold sway, competing interests and divergent agendas may take precedence over the BJP's infrastructure push.

PM Modi has faced criticism for allegedly favouring certain western states, notably Gujarat, for big-ticket infra projects, such as bullet train.

Under coalition compulsion, all heavyweight infrastructure projects will have to navigate the tapestry of balancing of regional and political ambitions.

Sample this: the JD(U) leadership may assert its demands for a significant share of Vande Bharat trains or state-of-the-art expressways. After all, for a state, and even region, which has suffered from a lack of connectivity and amenities for decades, the concoction of infrastructure projects is significant and tangible.

Funding is another critical aspect affected by a lack of a majority. Infrastructure projects require substantial financial resources, and the government relies heavily on budget allocations and external investments to fund them.

Yet, political uncertainty can deter investors and hinder the government's ability to secure funding. Additionally, the government may face pressure to divert funds towards populist measures and welfare schemes to appease voter sentiments.

Consider this: the politics of freebies, now an inseparable component of Indian democracy, is also ruling the roost in Andhra Pradesh. The TDP’s ‘Super Six’ manifesto is laden with welfare initiative promises such as Rs 3,000 per month for every unemployed youth, and Rs 20,000 for every farmer as annual seed capital.

States grappling with limited financial resources will undoubtedly seek to secure their share of fiscal allocations, viewing it as essential for maintaining their voter base intact, as a prerequisite for extending support to the Centre.

Moreover, a lack of majority may exacerbate legislative gridlock, impeding the passage of crucial reforms, such as land acquisition laws. An illustrative example is the delay encountered in land acquisition for the bullet train project by the MVA government in Maharashtra.

And without sufficient support in parliament, passing long-pending reforms in land laws may become harder. The NDA government had abandoned efforts to reform the land acquisition law in August 2015, after promulgating an ordinance to change the law thrice.

The corridors of power, once traversed with certainty, now echo with the whispers of uncertainty. All will depend on who gets to helm the key infrastructure ministries including rail, road, port development among others.

The BJP's adeptness in navigating political alliances will ultimately determine the fate of its infrastructure agenda, whether it thrives or fades into obscurity.