New Delhi: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi jacking up BJP in Maharashtra and Haryana towards convincing wins, days of the dominance of regional politics appears clearly numbered.
These two states had aggressively nurtured regional parties -- Shiv Sena, NCP and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) -- and BJP had always been a small player.
For two decades, regional politics have spurred and established the coalition era. Maharashtra and Haryana had been key to cementing regionalism and coalition politics. Even though the Congress strongly held up one pole in Haryana , Maharashtra had totally succumbed to regionalism.
But, the BJP, by trampling upon the brand of politics espoused by the Shiv Sena and NCP, that of Maratha pride, has succeeded in rising above local issues and caste arithmetic, with Modi seemingly unstoppable in selling his development politics. The same holds true in Haryana where the BJP raced to a convincing win without a Jat face.
Political observers believe the BJP when challenged by fractured opponents is unstoppable in the North and western parts of the country. Hence Bihar, due for state polls next year, would give a decisive answer if BJP can win against the combined might of the Congress-RJD-JD(U) coalition.
Political observers state regional politics will stay in states known for strong linguistic affiliations -- West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They, however, state the BJP has surely gained enough electoral might to provide stability at the Centre without being dependent on regional parties.
