COVID-19 pandemic may throw up new leaders in India's federal structure

Corona was detected in Kerala on January 30. Kerala has so far flattened the curve and established certain benchmarks, which could be emulated.

It is another matter that in Kerala itself the state is faced with an unprecedented challenge of hosting lakhs of migrant workers from West Asia on their way back home.

The challenge is manifold: ensure they return safely, ensure they are not COVID carriers and don’t distort the positive data, ensure economic rehabilitation of many of these workers who lost their jobs and create an environment of social acceptance of these returnees at a time when personal mistrust is at a premium.

Truth be told, these are universal challenges across states. States that are yet battling the virus onslaught have their respective leaders worried. COVID is as much of a challenge as an opportunity for individual leaders to make a statement about their governance capability or the lack of it.

The 40-days of the lockdown have had a stamp of authority. The Prime Minister undertook the political risk of locking an entire nation. Global and Indian thinkers (including known critics of Narendra Modi) have argued in support of the drastic decision.

The by and large successful enforcement of the lockdown decision has demonstrated PM’s unprecedented ability to connect with masses across the length and breadth of the country. It has reinforced his image of being able to take bold decisions in the interests of the nation. COVID though remains a big national challenge.

COVID, given its non-discriminatory spread across states, has also given rise to a uniform and fair opportunity to political leaders to make an individual statement. When COVID hit India (first in Kerala), it was seen as a problem left knocking at someone else’s door but with each passing day the disease entering state after state without any official sanction, politicians of all hues have seen in it an inevitability. Therefore, they have not only re-assessed their priorities but also their politics.

With Prime Minister possibly getting all the credit and discredit for the extended lockdown decision, various Chief Ministers’ have got into the act to try and build a model that bears their individual stamp.

Today, as we are in the midst of the lockdown 3.0, with big metros yet in the firm grip of the disease and the numbers rising every minute, there is a positive story here of how regional leaders, from small to big states, have made an impression. They continue to challenge themselves even if they make mistakes.

India is a diverse country with varying levels of literacy and income and therefore the COVID impact has not been uniform. Of course, the virus fear unites the nation as much as does the quest for grabbing a bottle of liquor at the first given opportunity.

If the Kerala model is attracting global attention, there is a need to flag stories of relative success in other states. From Rajasthan, we had the Bhilwara model and in Uttar Pradesh, the Agra model, or the Yogi model across the state.

Like UP government bringing in labour reforms for benefit of migrants, COVID has shown that it is the most opportune time for key policy reforms across the board. Duty hikes might not immediately qualify as a policy reform but it is a fair tool to shore up revenues at a time when some states don’t have enough money to pay for salaries or so they claim.

Goa and the North-east have either been plain lucky or deserve credit for managing the virus. Karnataka, which managed the virus flow relatively well, has run into the migrant conundrum. However, its economic package has been the need of the hour.

COVID has globally witnessed right-wing popular leaders turning left wing. India has followed suit. Each elected federal leader has replicated the model. Essentially governance in this crisis has come to be defined by managing both life and livelihood. That perhaps explains the Union government’s reluctance to rush into a stimulus package for the industry.

This trend runs across the political spectrum with each Chief Minister trying to be seen the most benevolent when it comes to easing the financial burden due to the disease. There is a competitive streak out there even as leaders have realized the need to raise revenues in times of unprecedented demand depression.

The true winners will be those who ensure true and fair delivery. Here the Union government’s prescribed (‘JAM’) template will be the key differentiator. Leakage is a tradition that generally gets accentuated in a crisis.

Getting back to the disease, there are a few states where the virus is refusing to relent. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh continue to be a cause of deep worry with these states together contributing to the bulk of infected patients in India. West Bengal, despite having a legacy of good administration, has so far disappointed with confrontation being the key policy statement at a time when collaboration and convergence should be the defining mission.

Would that mean that the respective political administration of these states has failed? There might be slippages but it is early to conclude either way for the virus is a rapidly moving target. Globally, it has shown that it can strike back with vengeance. And, solutions are not timed. They can come from any quarter and any time.

The key message, therefore, is to pick up the learning across India. As a positive change, any leadership action (good, bad and ugly) is seen today away from the traditional prism of narrow politics. Leaders themselves are keen to assert their individual identity above that of their party.

There is nothing wrong with that for a country of the size of India needs leaders who use their individual mind and wisdom in an emergency (like the one we are faced with today) and have some unique and tangible solutions on offer. There is a need to replicate the best practices and ensure India stays ahead of the virus curve.

Remember, you like it or not, COVID-19 is here to stay, at least for some more time. It has, for sure, killed the 2020 format. It tells us that it is a Test match and that too a multi-national championship.

It has room to throw new leaders born out of pragmatism, willing to reform and carrying attention to detail (dirtying your hands) and need at times to rise above the bureaucratic order.

Our politics must welcome this change. We welcome many more models. Winners are welcome from wherever they are! Remember, there is a common enemy.