04-30-2009, 02:59 AM
<!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> If the BJP has succeeded in expanding beyond a narrow sectarian base, it is by becoming a more normal party of development and governance. This is precisely what happens to âextremeâ parties when they enter democratic competition. This welcome thought needs to be tempered by another not-so-welcome question: while Indian politics has no doubt transformed the BJP, has the BJP also shifted the terms of debate? Has it, quietly but firmly, reshaped our idea of India?
http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/30/stories/...881200.htm
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> If the BJP has succeeded in expanding beyond a narrow sectarian base, it is by becoming a more normal party of development and governance. This is precisely what happens to âextremeâ parties when they enter democratic competition. This welcome thought needs to be tempered by another not-so-welcome question: while Indian politics has no doubt transformed the BJP, has the BJP also shifted the terms of debate? Has it, quietly but firmly, reshaped our idea of India?http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/30/stories/...881200.htm