Inside Track: Lampposts leave Lacunas

The Indian government has faced growing scrutiny over its education policies amid student protests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor as Education Minister, Pralhad Joshi, has taken on multiple portfolios, including consumer affairs and renewable energy, while the ministries of information and broadcasting have experienced high turnover. This reflects a pattern of rapid, unilateral appointments by the BJP's high command, which has raised concerns about public perception.

The party's recent choices in state chief ministerships, often influenced by caste calculations and electoral strategies, have backfired, as seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar. The BJP's struggle with youth leadership and communication has also become apparent, with potential leaders sidelined or losing enthusiasm after joining the party.

A meeting between Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and Punjab leaders Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa ended abruptly, highlighting internal divisions within the party. As the BJP grapples with these challenges, government accountability may become a key issue in upcoming elections, especially as 52% of India's population is under 30.