The idiot box fever
says that people are on for it. Yes, Indians are swilled in the General
Election mood. So are the allegations and counter allegations by different
parties in the country. Though India never belonged to two party nests until
few years after the independence in 1947, it is sure that the real political
fight in 2014 is between Congress (UPA) and BJP (NDA). Though the media talks
about the Third Party Front, it never stood on the dice together to see its
fall as experienced in the past.
India stands at a
very dicey situation. The policy paralysis and a series of scams during the UPA
tenure made India’s political map on all leading news and media of the world.
At least these leaders are making sure that India should be on the front for
whatever reasons – good or bad. The NDA government led by Shri Atal Vihari
Bajpayee lost in 2004 after completing a full five years term. The campaign, “Bharat Nirman” could not incite the
inertia of the people to vote for them and the country saw the emergence of
United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Few partners supported wholeheartedly, few
were forced to support on CBI’s baton and few had no choices (as their party
leaders’ love for beacon lights always made them change their loyalties
frequently). The 9.5 years tenure had been very tumultuous in the name of few
real achievements and many scams. The country saw many super powers like RTI
which made many scams surfacing on the street. But it also led to death of many
activists as the leaders got afraid of their pasts’ acts and deeds leading to
killing of many activists. It also saw MNREGA, a social security programme
promising 100 days of employment to unemployed people which later became a vote
catching tool. The show continued and we are again back to the most sacred
process where the franchises choose few electorates out of 1.25 billion people.
This is a marathon exercise but thanks to the Election Commission of India which
helps us in choosing a pack of few leaders (who suck people’ blood) amongst the
mango people of banana republic.
Mini Election in Nov 13
2014 is going to see
a different color in election and parties are readying themselves for the
opening exercise due in Nov 13 in few states which will decide the flow of the
air in near future. All parties are betting strongly but the real statistics
would be counted between the BJP and Congress. Though it is very early to react
on outcomes, the poll surveys favour a winning verdict for BJP in 3 states out of
4 states going for state polls. BJP with its star campaigner and its nominated
PM candidate, Shri Narendra Modi has been rallying along the length and breadth
of the country and is seeing a strong turnout on the ground. On the other hand,
the young scions, Rahul Gandhi and his ailing mother, Smt Sonia Gandhi are the
star campaigners for Congress and are campaigning across the country.
Are parties scared or confident?
Yes, we are seeing a
different view on the street. People are empowered as communications have made
information at the tip of a button. We knew few actions in Delhi – Anna
Hazare’s Aandolan, Nirbhaya’s rape protests, Jessica Lal’s murder case etc.
Thanks to social media tools which made the banana republic so powerful that
the government at one point of time contemplated to axe the social media rules.
Among all actions, India is forgetting one thing – 25 Cr new electorates will
add in 2014 and it’s important for the parties to tap them. So, suddenly the
focus has shifted from the rural population to the new cosmo-urban and new
cities’ residents. The intensity is likely to intensify as we enter into the
final phase of the election. The new population is demanding, educated and
looking for actions on the street instead of staying put.
Who will dive out of the troubled pond?
Initial projections
say that BJP is having the upper hand as their coveted star campaigner, Mr.
Narendra Modi with his bespoke oratory skills is all out against the UPA government.
However, the ruling government’s Prince and Princess (I believe naming them
would be an insult on their popularity) with SPG security cover are also
throwing their hats to put their government and their family members’
sacrifices for the current mock situation of the nation.
Youths need to decide a new path
It is very clear that
people are aware and very provocative in terms of their demands and rights and
we have seen it in many protests which rattled the government. The new 25
crores franchise along with the rural voters will decide a new stream in the
country and all eyes are focused on them. Let us do a fair judgment and decide
the future Prime Minister of India.
Vote – It is the most powerful tool in a
democratic country. We should be proud of it.
