The gist: Two successive layers of governance by the same political party is valued by voters across India. But the ground reality is quite disappointing.
Here I am giving you an in-depth comparative analysis of how TMC and AAP are not winners at all!
The high-voltage Municipal elections are now ended in Delhi, and AAP won the majority. As per the trends of the BJP, AAP started a “double engine” government.
Let me tell you, not only in Delhi, two successive layers of governance by the same political party is given importance by the voters of Indian democracy. Another “double engine” has been running for the last 10 years under the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-dominated Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
But despite its popularity, The ‘double-engine’ power has the potential to obliterate civic bodies of basic service responsibilities enshrined in the 12th Schedule of the Constitution. It can weaken our federal democracy.
In simple words, I can say, Local municipal governments may focus their attention on areas that are state government priorities and avoid important issues in their wards. This is also harmful to capable but weak opposition leaders.
TMC wins Kolkata Municipal Corporation, but still loses !
Let’s go back to the KMC elections held in 2021 where TMC won 134 out of 144 seats. ( https://wbsec.gov.in/ ) In my opinion, they would never have won if the issue had been about improving basic amenities like water, roads, garbage, or drainage. But they got popularity in the name of COVID-19 management and hence in the wave, they won assembly and KMC as well. TMC got the full benefit of the excellent and efficient management of COVID-19 in Bengal.
In between political domination and responsibility toward citizens, TMC won as per many local studies. I studied many local newspapers and talked with local people from various wards of Kolkata. The results are very clear TMC managed to convert the failure of 2015 into a big win in 2021. But of course, these are not the reasons for working for the essential or basic needs of the people.
Increased Responsibility, Lowest Returns… We Got It!
TMC won by a huge margin but people were not so happy that there was no major or prestigious change or improvement in water supply, garbage system, drainage, or slums. We cannot forget the inflation after post-pandemic. RBI said this year the Urban Consumer Price Index increased by 12.41%. Simply, the rate of monthly consumption is increased now. But, given the price increase, real aggregate consumption expenditure fell for about 30% of households.
The interesting fact is that TMC worked in its ward areas to meet basic consumption needs rather than basic services. Before the municipal election of 2021 in Kolkata, wards of TMC were in good condition because they fulfilled the consumptions of slums with help of their government. Food & Employment were the keys they used in the pandemic rather than working on roads, drainage, water, etc.
All this was possible because they have a two-tier government, a “double engine government”.
This is an unwarranted act by a ward member and the acts damage the image of the self-government bodies. These “double engines” are competing with the central government but working under them.
Is AAP’s path as easy as TMC’s?
In a very clear tone, India says … NO! Of course, Kejriwal too.
As we heard them saying, the central government holding the money of Delhi but we will work without stopping…..Well we will see how far! MCD & AAP is going to face new challenges to fulfilling promises of “AAM AADMI”. Since BJP is also near the majority, they are the biggest bull of current politics. This is also a red flag for AAP.
It’s going a hard task for Kejriwal to maintain dignity while he is planning to set their party as a national party.
Our eyes are on Delhi, we will keep updating you with every single information of about the city. Keep follow us .
