In the state polls, a battle of competing narratives

The outcome of these assembly elections will fundamentally alter the direction of politics across the country

- Shashi Shekhar

In West Bengal, it would be interesting to see if the Congress and the Left parties -- which are fighting the polls separately -- can achieve respectable results or merely end up splitting the anti-Mamata vote.

(PTI)

Four states and one Union territory will witness a war of ideas this month. It would be a mistake to consider the upcoming assembly elections as mere jousting for power by rival political parties. This will be a duel between principles nurtured over decades and emerging political thought.

Let's begin with Tamil Nadu. In 1967, nine states first elected non-Congress governments, and, till date, the Congress has not regained the lost political ground in Tamil Nadu. Currently, it is in coalition with the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK). Even after a long partnership, both the parties constantly differ over seat-and power-sharing. The Congress wants more seats to share power if they win, Stalin is completely against any kind of power-sharing with the Congress. This time though, India’s Grand Old Party was able to wrest more seats from him.

The BJP, which has been eyeing a foothold in the state for years now, attempted a tie-up with Tamil superstar Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). But Vijay decided to go alone. Only time will tell if he will make a difference. If Vijay ends up being a vote-splitter, then the opposition’s plan can go awry. Stalin would be the ultimate beneficiary in such a scenario.