In Kerala, and many other Indian states, the tradition is for the ruling party to always lose the election. So the two big blocs - the Communist-led LDF and the Congress-led (social democrats + neoliberals + Muslims) UDF take turns. In 2021, the LDF won re-election because they handled Covid very well.
goldroger
joined 1 month ago
Delhi is also in a valley in a range of low hills, so the wind cannot clear the pollution away. (E.g. Mumbai has more industry etc, but has cleaner air.)
So I grew up in a smallish town and then moved to a city (not Delhi) for work. And I was surprised when I first saw the night sky. It was a glowing dark red, not black with stars. And then some days afterwards a colleague from Delhi complimented us on the good air quality, pointing out that we did not wear masks outdoors or have air purifiers at home.
Kerala is a medium-sized state, and its government is led by the Communists, who are nationally in opposition. So this was achieved with very limited resources. But now other states can copy this. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are larger and richer states (still ruled by opposition parties), and currently have subsidised food programmes beyond the national ration system. TN is experimenting with other subsidies and schemes, and is important enough that the national government cannot ignore it.
Actually surprisingly high number among Muslims (32% satisfaction).
This is not surprising. Indian politics is very local. Most people are more affected by their panchayat (village council) / municipal and state governments than by the Indian government. So Muslims who live in places not ruled by the BJP probably don't have strong opinions about Modi. Also Modi has a very carefully made 'image', where he tries to look his best.
Thank you. I will try to watch if I get time.
Behave like what?
Being very hard-line. I live in a 'neutral' country. So most people who know about Vietnam or Cuba have a positive opinion of those countries. But North Korea is seen as extreme, as putting its military ahead of its people's well-being. But if it is because they feel constantly threatened by the US, then I can understand why they behave that way.
I actually have very bad information about it and will reserve judgement
This makes sense.
No problem. I got a lot of replies yesterday and it was a bit too much. From your comment and what others have said, North Korea went through a very intense bombing by the US, and so its leaders fear that they will be attacked again. So they have taken an over-centralized, 'military first' approach. This is also why they have nuclear weapons. For North Korea to focus on its people's well-being, the US etc. have to first stop threatening them. Is this broadly correct?
the fall of the USSR would strangle all other socialist nations
This actually happened in my country. More and more we are 'socialist' only on paper.
Yes, I read more about North Korea yesterday. I can sort of see why they behave like that.
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This is a joke. Kerala has no industry and does not grow enough food for itself. Its economy is based on tourism and exporting cash crops (wood, tea, spices, cashews and seafood) and educated people to the rest of India and abroad. (Doctors / nurses being from Kerala is a usual stereotype.)
The only Indian state that has any negotiating power with the union government is Tamil Nadu. This is why Tamil nationalism is a thing. But even they benefit from being part of a large country, so when you talk to people the demand is usually only for more federalism.