IT had been all over bar the shouting even before the votes were counted. Narendra Modi and his Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) have sailed into a huge majority in the Lok Sabha. Now Team Modi faces three big challenges. First, it is the challenge of taming inflation and slaying the price monster. Indications are that the price situation may worsen in the next three months. The weather is likely to be inclement. Floods and drought may devastate agriculture. Retail food prices are already on the rise.
The second job is the toughest challenge. How to create jobs for the countless unemployed and multiply incomes in a sustainable way? Productive jobs are the basis of economic growth. A good job also ensures financial inclusion. Creating jobs is most urgent in rural areas. The vast majority in the villages support themselves on the fat of the land. But their children aspire to earn money and social status in other occupations. The approach to inclusion must quickly shift from mere party handouts to actual remunerative jobs.
Finally, the minorities have to be assured that they have nothing to fear. Of course, the elections were fought and won over bread and butter issues. Good governance was another battle-cry. Muslims and Christians had, however, been apprehensive. The BJP in the eyes of most Muslims was identified with Hindutva. Modi’s rise to the top heightened apprehensions because of his alleged involvement in the Ahmedabad massacre of 2002. But the BJP’s sweeping victory shows that the minorities in many places had minds without fear. The BJP government must not deviate from the assurance of equal opportunities for all and special favours for none.
