Destiny disposes

Since taking office in 2014, the Modi-led BJP government has fulfilled many of its key campaign promises, bringing about significant changes in India’s political and social landscape. Sweeping to power with a landslide victory, the BJP under Narendra Modi promised transformative policies, some of which have been delivered with considerable impact. Among the most prominent achievements are the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir—two long-standing ideological goals of the party.In September 2023, the government passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill, which provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This marked a milestone in advancing gender representation in Indian politics. Another major legislative achievement was the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which operationalized the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, granting Indian citizenship to eligible individuals under the law.The Modi administration has also made strides in infrastructure development, modernizing roadways, highways, and railway stations. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express trains is a testament to this progress, with 51 of these modern trains now operating across the country. The government has also pushed aggressively toward renewable energy, emphasizing the need to reduce India’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable development. However, the government still has unfinished business, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the proposal of “One Nation, One Election.” These initiatives are seen as part of the BJP’s broader effort to consolidate its power and influence over governance. While supporters argue that the UCC would unify civil laws across religions and simplify legal frameworks, critics express concerns that it may undermine India’s pluralistic democratic foundation and further push the country toward majoritarianism. The “One Nation, One Election” concept aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, restoring the system that existed until 1967. This would involve substantial constitutional amendments to allow simultaneous voting, which proponents argue could reduce election costs and improve management. To move forward with this initiative, the Modi government appointed former President Ram Nath Kovind to lead a high-level committee to explore its feasibility. The Kovind panel, which submitted its report in March 2024, recommended amending 18 constitutional provisions and introducing a single electoral roll for all elections, with the goal of implementing simultaneous polls by 2029. While these changes could streamline the election process, they also face challenges, as amendments would require the ratification of half of India’s states. The Modi government is now dependent on allies in parliament while it rules 13 states including Haryana and Maharashtra( where BJP is likely to lose power) . The opposition rules 10 states and BJP allies rule Bihar, Nagaland, Meghalaya. Any amendment would need at least 2/3rd support of states. In such a scenario, it seems quite unlikely that the Modi government would be able to push through the One Nation One Election agenda. The BJP lost the plot when it could win only 240 seats and not 400+ seats that the party so confidently boasted. It is thus unlikely, unless something unforeseen happens, that India will return to One Nation One Election within 2029.