An underlying pattern across the five states (Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana) that are now going to polls has been the overwhelmingly populist promises that seek to target specific sections of the electorate. While poll promises and populist baits in electoral campaigns are not uncommon in the Indian political landscape, the growing populist trends or what the Prime Minister labelled as ‘revdi’ culture has increasingly come to shape electoral relationships. Particular groups like communities, farmers, minorities, youth and women have become prime focus for political parties to launch targeted schemes, giveaways and cash handouts. The fundamental understanding of the transforming electoral dynamics lies in how we as a nation and as a society define these poll promises, and if they are perceived as ‘freebies’ or as ‘welfare measures’.
Announcing the poll schedule for elections in the five states, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated that the political parties’ announcement of freebies comes with a ‘tadka of populism’ which governments remember only a fortnight or month before elections and never over the five year period. He also highlighted that voters have the right to know where the money for these freebies will come from.
The economic impact is profound considering the fiscal burden these giveaways and handouts impose upon the states. The weight and onus of fulfilling the promises made in electoral campaigns is inherited by the Government that comes to power. The Shivraj Singh Chauhan-led BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh, for instance, has announced freebies that will put a financial burden of around ₹25,000 crore per year on the next government. This comes from a welfarism spree in the campaign period where interest waivers for farmers, the Ladli Behna Scheme, free ration, providing housing and multiple other schemes ride on the populist wave to win elections. In Karnataka elections that were held earlier this year, the Congress’ poll promises were estimated to cost ₹50,000 crore. In Telangana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh as well, loan waivers and LPG gas cylinder subsidies dominate the campaign narratives of different parties with each trying to outdo the other in its manifesto announcements.
While it is relatively possible to compute and analyse the math and economic impact of these giveaways considering the fiscal burden that states endure, the socio-political impact can be evasive. It stems from how this ‘revdi’ culture often comes under the garb of welfare measures, policies and schemes thereby making it difficult to criticise and dispute. Even as the giveaways are targeted at the under-privileged sections, the burden of financing these very often falls on the salaried class and the direct tax paying population which is not a beneficiary of most of these schemes but ends up financing them. The receiving electorate then becomes political consumers rather than voters.
Nevertheless, despite the unsustainability and fiscal issues, political compulsions have encouraged this trend that also acquired a greater competitive edge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed the ‘revdi’ culture and emphasized the need to free the country from it, yet the BJP has not held back from announcing populist promises during its electoral campaign owing to the sheer need to create and preserve vote banks. The trend is seen to play out across national and regional political parties across the states.
The culture that is nurtured is that of schemes over reforms and unsustainable short-term appeasements over long-term policies. It has become a competitive feature across the political spectrum to announce freebies regardless of ideological differences. Every party is driven by attempts to project itself and its leadership as ‘pro-poor’ and ‘welfarist’ to win elections.
The upcoming elections in the five states are not only going to set the tone and determine fortunes for political parties in the General Elections next year, but are very likely to influence the political narratives and flavours that will colour the electoral campaigns by shaping what the electoral battles will be fought over.
