Section Article

DIFFERENT FORMS OF POLITICAL POPULISM IN INDIA AND HOW THEY INTERACT
Author(s): Sushant Anand

Abstract
Political populism in India has emerged as a defining feature of the country’s democratic landscape over the past several decades influencing governance structures electoral politics and public policy. Rooted in appeals to the “common people” and juxtaposed against established political elites populism in India manifests in diverse forms encompassing left-wing right-wing regional caste-based and personality-driven movements. The interplay between these forms of populism shapes political competition party strategies and policy outcomes at both national and state levels. This paper examines the multiple dimensions of political populism in India focusing on how economic promises identity politics social media strategies and charismatic leadership converge to create distinct populist approaches. The study employs a combination of historical analysis case studies and comparative political methods to evaluate patterns of populist engagement institutional responses and voter reception. Additionally it explores interactions among populist movements examining instances of convergence competition and co-optation and their broader implications for democratic governance policy implementation and social cohesion. By analyzing these dynamics the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of populism’s impact on India’s political fabric and to offer insights into the mechanisms through which populist strategies influence political legitimacy public mobilization and institutional accountability.