Books – Dr. Ramesh K. Madaan

Ramesh Kumar ,Elites and Power Structure in Rural India , Mohit Publications,2005

Book Exploration: “Elites and Power Structure in Rural India” by Ramesh Kumar (Mohit Publications, 2005)

This book examines the dynamics of rural power structures in India, focusing on the role of elites in shaping governance, social hierarchies, and economic control at the grassroots level.

Key Themes:

1.Rural Elites & Social Hierarchies:

•Analysis of how traditional elites (landlords, upper-caste groups, political figures) maintain influence in rural India.

•The intersection of caste, wealth, and political authority in shaping village leadership.

2.Power Distribution & Governance:

•The role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in decentralizing power.

•The impact of land reforms and political movements on elite dominance.

3.Electoral Politics & Rural Mobilization:

•How rural elites control vote banks and electoral outcomes.

•The emergence of grassroots leaders challenging elite structures.

4.Economic & Policy Impact:

•The effect of economic liberalization on rural power structures.

•The role of government schemes and NGOs in reshaping rural dynamics.

Relevance Today:

•Understanding power consolidation in rural politics is crucial for strategists working on electoral campaigns.

•The book provides insights into how traditional structures adapt to modern political challenges.

•It helps assess the role of elites in shaping voter behavior, particularly in states with strong rural influence.

Exploring “Regionalisation of Politics in India” by Ramesh Kumar (Mohit Publications, 1996)

This book examines the rise of regionalism in Indian politics, focusing on how state-level parties and regional movements have shaped governance, electoral strategies, and national integration.

Key Themes:

1.Rise of Regionalism in India:

•Historical perspective on how regional political aspirations emerged post-independence.

•Role of linguistic, cultural, and economic disparities in fueling regional movements.

2.State Politics & Federalism:

•Analysis of the shift from Congress’ national dominance to coalition-era politics.

•The impact of regional parties (e.g., DMK, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal) on federal governance.

•Centre-state relations and their role in shaping regional demands.

3.Electoral Dynamics & Regional Parties:

•The book likely explores how regional parties gained prominence in state and national elections.

•Strategies used by regional leaders to mobilize voters, including caste-based and identity politics.

•Case studies of elections where regional parties played kingmaker roles.

4.Economic & Policy Implications of Regional Politics:

•How regional disparities influenced policy decisions on resource distribution and infrastructure development.

•The role of regional parties in shaping economic policies like reservations, subsidies, and state-specific welfare schemes.

Relevance Today:

•The book provides historical insights into how regional parties became dominant forces, which remains relevant with strong state-based parties like TMC, AAP, and BRS today.

•It helps analyze how regional political aspirations continue to influence coalition governments at the national level.

•The themes discussed align with current federal tensions and demands for greater state autonomy in resource allocation and policy decisions.