The emphatic victory of Congress in the Karnataka state assembly election by winning 136 seats against incumbent BJP reinforces people’s judgement on a nonperforming, corrupt and polarizing government. The narrative of Basavaraj Bommai-led government to communally polarize the society with a tacit support of PM Modi and Amit Shah failed amid rising questioning of lower and middle-income groups for finding solutions for their basic requirement.
The Karnataka state election is also shows maturity of Indian democracy where parties organise themselves on political lines. Here de-facto power rests with people and in Karnataka state election they have used the franchise wisely. Even though local factors played an important role, Modi’s efforts during the last leg of the campaign to focus on his governance fell on deaf ears. They harped on Hinduthua only but the Hindu majority and people in the Muslim and Christian community propelled their force rock solid behind the Congress.
Besides the central leadership led by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Gharghe and AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala, the congress state level leadership did grand preparation for the election by covering every blocks and panchayats. The victory is a victory for state leadership of Congress party and their meticulous efforts to address problem by submitting a solemn pledge card to every household with five guarantees — Yuva Nidhi, Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyothi, Uchita Prayana and Gruha Lakshmi – which really helped them establish a right chord with electorate than big promises. Congress put across people their plan to give more proactive social measures to help the needy financially.
It is every evident that BJP National President JP Nadda’s statement that if you give votes to Congress, PM Modi’s blessings will not be with Karnataka was against the federal structure of the country. However, it is a reality that BJP’s dream to wipe Congress from India is once again decimated by the electorate. BJP will have to create local Modi’s and then perform very well to strengthen their public good will.
Commenting on the election results, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge that ego does not stay for long and it is a democracy where politicians should bow their heads before the people who show the right path. “It’s not a victory of anyone; it’s a victory of the people of the state. They decided and chose. That’s why we got 136 seats – huge after 34 years,” It is interesting to note that after 1989 Veerendra Patil’s regime Congress had won 178 seats with a vote share of 43.76%.
Karnataka’s per capita income in 2020-21 was Rs 2.364 lakh, the highest among states with a population of more than 1 crore (if Delhi is excluded). The state Economic Survey 2022-23 projected a GSDP growth from Rs 12.29 lakh crore in 2021-22 to Rs 13.26 lakh crore in 2022-23. The services sector has remained the strongest contributor, accounting for 64.04% of the GSD. Karnataka’s GSDP share in the national GDP is at 8.2%, compared to 8.3% in 2021-22.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it is the victory of democracy, Kannadaigas and Karnataka and he congratulated the people of the state after Congress won the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023. “”It is in favour of a strong and stable Congress government. My words to people in rallies and to Congress high command that Congress would win 130 seats, and Congress would form Government on our own strength has come true,” Siddaramaiah said.
As India is going to be a manufacturing hub of the globe, with a renewed focus on electronics industry and high-tech manufacturing, Karnataka should provide a conducive environment with ease of doing business. The new Congress government and its leadership should make Karnataka a model state with its policies and good governance. It is a priority for the new government to attract more FDI and make the state a manufacturing hub of the world. The last Karnataka Global Investor Summit 2022 attracted around Rs 10 lakh crore investment to the state, the state government should assess its progress and take corrective steps if there is any issues to be resolved. From Foxconn to ABB, global giants are making a beeline to invest in Karnataka and it should be properly directed via Beyond Bengaluru initiative.
Karnataka is estimated to register a 7.9% growth in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) during FY 2023 and the new dispensation potentially set the pace for the state’s run-up to its 2032 target of a $1-trillion (Rs 99.5 lakh crore) economy.
