The post-June 4 challenges

Both majority and coalition govts will have to rule by consensus henceforth

No matter who wins the Lok Sabha elections on June 4, the challenges the next government faces will be daunting. And no matter whether the government is a full-blown coalition or one led by a party with a majority of its own, these challenges will not be met without a consensus. The big politico-economic challenges cannot be overcome by parliamentary majorities alone.

Three challenges will come to the fore a year or two after the new government takes over. And there is always that perennial one — jobs. The first challenge will be the 2021 census, which has been enormously