A year of deepening political divides sets stage for another, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The year 2025 saw deepening political divides in India, impacting policy and discourse.
• Contentious bills like the Waqf Bill and VB G RAM G Bill replacing MGNREGA were pushed through.
• Key state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala are scheduled for 2026.
• The decadal Census will begin after a 16-year delay, including a caste headcount.
• Discussions on One Nation, One Election and delimitation of constituencies are expected to intensify.
• Amit Shah has set a deadline of March 2026 to eliminate Left-wing insurgency.

Detailed Insights:

• The 2024 elections set the stage for political changes, including Trump's policies and Modi's third term.
• The divide between the ruling and opposition parties widened on issues like Trump tariffs and the Pahalgam terror attack.
• The entry of actor Vijay has made the Tamil Nadu electoral landscape unpredictable.
• The BJP aims to expand its reach in West Bengal and the South, while the Opposition is currently in disarray.
• The debate around delimitation is intensifying, with southern states fearing a loss of representation.
• The digital census will include a headcount of castes for the first time in independent India.
• Discussions around amending the Constitution for One Nation, One Election will require a special majority in Parliament.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Delimitation: The process of redrawing boundaries of parliamentary or assembly constituencies.
• MGNREGA: A flagship rural employment scheme guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment.
• One Nation, One Election: The idea of holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.