The Great Indian Finale
Finally, the greatest political show down comes to a halt, thanks to the election commission of India for organizing such a peaceful election through out the country. India, the world's largest democracy braced itself for the biggest event, the challenges were immense, more so probably than any part of the globe, be it development, nullifying terrorism or fighting off insurgency added to the fact that we are surrounded by hostile neighbors all around. Our country is a synergy of cultural dominion, ubiquitous presence of hundreds of languages, deluging religions, with all the obligations India does not survive, she thrives.
I have written this veritably under my purview, let us rewind 10 years back, circa.
Respected Atal Bihar Vajpayee took charge of the 1999-2004 term, the most prolific economic success of the country happened during this period. Exhuming every possible opening of the economy, Institutional investments started rocketing. The National Highway Development Project, the best ever infrastructure project the country every devised was staged, GDP started stemming at an incredible rate. The only time, when India produced a net positive current account was during this period, but what followed in the following elections was an enigma,
The above info graphics show that we people do not vote for development, rather we are heavily influenced by communal hegemony and the system of electing our representative needs a revisit.
I have written this veritably under my purview, let us rewind 10 years back, circa.
Respected Atal Bihar Vajpayee took charge of the 1999-2004 term, the most prolific economic success of the country happened during this period. Exhuming every possible opening of the economy, Institutional investments started rocketing. The National Highway Development Project, the best ever infrastructure project the country every devised was staged, GDP started stemming at an incredible rate. The only time, when India produced a net positive current account was during this period, but what followed in the following elections was an enigma,
| Party Name | States contested | Seats contested | Seats won | No. of Votes | % of Votes | % in Seats contested | Forfeited in seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian National Congress | 33 | 400 | 145 | 103,408,949 | 26.53% | 34.43% | 82 |
| Bharatiya Janata Party | 31 | 364 | 138 | 86,371,561 | 22.16% | 34.39% | 57 |
When looking at the whole picture, the difference is subtle. 10 crore people voted for congress, and 8 crore people voted for BJP. A government, representing such wide population does't have the support from almost equal number of people who are buttressing it.
Coming back to 2014, the downfall of congress and upheaval of BJP
The UPA kick started on a promising note, giving an average spring rate of 7-8%, it did not last too long, the progress started slowing down, almost came to a halt. Reason? The meltdown during 2008, even though due to the upper hand of RBI and insulation from economic downfall, investments started slowing down, valuable inflow of dollars took the edge off, which means we had to spend more Rupee on purchasing oil and other essential commodities for the country, this automatically hindered the growth.
The IInd term of UPA, a very weak presence of the congress in the parliament, mere puppet show of the coailation politics, no majority in the house and copious corruption on a fecund scale. Employments started sedating, ire amongst the people multiplied, pretty much before the election we all knew the results, a national party which won 404/543 in 1984 is now struggling to keep their 1/10 ratio for maintaining their national party status.
The problem with the society is that we are heavily influenced by peer presence, honestly how many of those who voted for BJP knew what is development, can anyone list out at-least 10 candidates of BJP? NO.
What is development,
Development in its simplest sense should be the ability of all Indians to realize their true potential without fear or obstacles. Development should address the lack of capabilities, knowledge, financial resources, and opportunity to step out of poverty and deprivation without fear. Development then is as much a process of providing services as of removing obstacles and giving freedom from all sorts of discrimination, exclusion, insufficient opportunities and fear of identity. Do any of our leaders promise us this kind of development in this election? Sadly not. The development narrative in this election is shallow and empty.
What are the positives and negatives of this election
A stable government, yes after 30 years we are having party with a single largest majority attaining 272+ seats, this makes a stable stock market during political crisis, much more tedious passing of bills, outlook towards some positive amendments. A lesson preached for the corrupt politics and a brimming hope on development. A 66% polling of almost 1/10 of the world population, most importantly without any disruptions or malpractice.
Negatives:
THE FIRST PAST THE POST SYSTEM
THE AAM ADMI PARTY, the only ever political revolution which proved that a common man can fight the system, question authority, be a harbinger of hope amongst the masses, yes Kejriwal did mistakes, he was omnipresent, he questioned too much, took it to grass level, but was he given enough time? Congress and BJP joining hands together for a reason? yeah you read that right, against the passing of Jan Lokpal bill, it's pathetic to look at people vacillating so much with repercussion without understanding on how government functions and tagging a person who gave us so much to hope for as an "idiot, joker and what not". Coming to the point, take the example of DelhiBJP {46.4%,3837380} AAAP {32.9%,2721784} INC {15.1%,1252491} IND {3.2%,261469} BSP {1.2%,101590}
32.9% of the votes polled were banked on AAP, almost as equal as BJP, yet it could not spare a single seat. A government which is at the helm for the entire NCT has the hostility of more than half the population, imagine a constituency of 100 people and 55 people does not want the government, yet they are doomed with a decision against that wish, that's the current situation at Delhi, same statistics can be found in TamilNadu.
Lack of questioning: I have a huge set of friends, but only a very very few people know what they are voting for and why they vote. Do we, at our full potential analyze what the country needs, we do search bountiful reviews for buying a mobile phone, but do we even research for 5 minutes on what the country needs for the next 5 years? We are in 2014, almost 3000-4000 years ahead of Indus valley civilization, but yet we are only influenced by what the majority stands for be it right or wrong. The country will change only when a revolution takes place, that will happen only when we start thinking for ourselves. Its high time we realize our responsibility in carrying the nation forward.
Will such system and notion of the commons give room for any future political revolution, will it decimate the present AAP? it is a question only people can answer.
Negatives:
THE FIRST PAST THE POST SYSTEM
32.9% of the votes polled were banked on AAP, almost as equal as BJP, yet it could not spare a single seat. A government which is at the helm for the entire NCT has the hostility of more than half the population, imagine a constituency of 100 people and 55 people does not want the government, yet they are doomed with a decision against that wish, that's the current situation at Delhi, same statistics can be found in TamilNadu.
Lack of questioning: I have a huge set of friends, but only a very very few people know what they are voting for and why they vote. Do we, at our full potential analyze what the country needs, we do search bountiful reviews for buying a mobile phone, but do we even research for 5 minutes on what the country needs for the next 5 years? We are in 2014, almost 3000-4000 years ahead of Indus valley civilization, but yet we are only influenced by what the majority stands for be it right or wrong. The country will change only when a revolution takes place, that will happen only when we start thinking for ourselves. Its high time we realize our responsibility in carrying the nation forward.
Will such system and notion of the commons give room for any future political revolution, will it decimate the present AAP? it is a question only people can answer.
If you ask me as you have said, the only way we can move forward is by stopping coalition of parties. The reason, simple, one gets to rule only when he has the required majority all by himself (Of course he will get this only if has done enough good to the people). This will do the following things. 1) Every party will recognize that only if they do good will they ever get the required majority Why? Coalition allows for parties to link up parties that give them majority and hence prevents them from doing what they are supposed to do. 2) It will prevent them from acting on orders from other parties. Why? Since smaller parties who join the larger ones lay down their own terms to join, this imposes restriction on the larger party if it had had an genuine sense of doing good. 3) It prevents the corrupt bureaucrats from getting hold of money and power. How? Of course since no majority is established, the rule would be President's and thus they(the politicians) would have power and money. The only flip side is that upcoming parties will find it very difficult since for them it would be very difficult to the required majority at one go. But wait, there is hope, AAM proved in Delhi, a party can succeed even at the first attempt. So given they have enough pedigree people are willing to do vote to an upcoming party. I for one would love not be governed by none rather than by the corrupt...and nice write up..keep it going..:)
ReplyDeleteThese are stuff i wish i added, thanks a lot for the comment :D
ReplyDeleteanytime da..happy to see you do these things...sorry about the couple of words I have left..:)
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