Modi government’s U-turns expose a well-known secret—BJP is facing a crisis of conviction
The Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has triggered a range of responses from the Opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the UPS, suggesting it represents the Narendra Modi government’s propensity for U-turns. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh argued that the UPS is even worse than the existing National Pension System (NPS).
In defense, the government dismissed claims of a reversal on pension reforms. They argue that, unlike the old pension scheme, the UPS is contributory and funded. The additional burden the UPS may place on the treasury is not up for debate. What is clear is that the move appears to be a strategic adjustment by the government to win over employees ahead of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
The committee that reviewed the pension system was established after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) defeat in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election, where Congress’ promise to restore the old pension system was seen as a key factor. Congress-led states like Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan adopted the old pension scheme but still struggled in subsequent elections. Now, the BJP is opting to rollback pension reforms and introduce the UPS, which promises assured pensions, inflation adjustments, and lump sum payments upon retirement.
The BJP’s U-turn on pension policy is part of a broader pattern of reversals under Modi 3.0. This includes previous reversals on bureaucratic lateral entry and other measures. This has led to political jokes suggesting that Rahul Gandhi is the best person to induce policy changes, given his critiques and the subsequent adjustments by the BJP.
Political alliances also play a role. Leaders like Chirag Paswan and KC Tyagi have influenced policy shifts, while the BJP’s partners are seen as too invested in their alliance with the BJP to risk major disagreements. Even if these allies were to challenge the government, forming an alternative government would be challenging. The INDIA bloc, although united in opposition to Modi, is divided internally, with tensions highlighted by recent controversies like the Kolkata rape and murder case.
Despite the BJP’s current allies being stable, the repeated policy U-turns reflect underlying confusion within the party. This confusion stems from unresolved questions about their 2019 electoral setbacks. Despite Modi’s high popularity, internal disputes about campaign strategies and party dynamics persist, contributing to a sense of crisis within the BJP.
The party’s core agendas—construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the revocation of Article 370—have been achieved, but the third major agenda, the Uniform Civil Code, remains stalled. The BJP is struggling to find electoral traction, and as the Modi wave recedes, the frequent policy reversals signal a deeper crisis of conviction within the party. The government’s U-turns may be undermining the image of a decisive Modi administration, which is a critical component of the BJP’s current political brand.
