(Moderator's Note: The author of this mail Mr Narendra is the former Information Adivsor to Prime Minister. He has served four Prime Ministers from Narasimha Rao to Vajpayee)
Dear Srinivasan: The brief point by point analysis of Verdict 2009 is an excellent capsule for thought.Congrats.
The INC did well to go it alone when black mailed.And improved its tally in total and made somewhat of a come back in UP & WB. one hope INC takes a similar stand in TN where it was ousted in 1967 and has not projected itself as a viable alternative to the two regional parties.
In J&K separatist leaders contested the elections.It is a pity that none of them got elected.Had they been elected, the ballot over bullet argument would have been further strengthened.
Extensive use of all media by BJP did not help because they had no rallying point-either in terms of a cause or leader.This goes to show that like 2004 elections, mere use of all available media and campaign blitz do not work without a critical message.
The country faces three great challenges-Taliban at India's door step;Internal security ( Religion based terrorism and left wing terrorism); and,globalization induced economic crisis.India needs a focussed national government and hopefully the winners respect the mandate and fulfil it.
Of particular note is the role played by media and others in galvanizing the electorate to vote.This initiaitve should not come just on the eve of national polls alone.Under the leadership of Ec and former Ecs we need to launch an " Initaitve for Participation in elections" that not only attempts to energize voter turn out but creates spaces for public debate of national issues.This Initiative should intensify around state and national elections.
India Vision Platform is a very good vehicle for showcasing this Initiative.
S.Narendra from San Frnacisco.
dear friends
People of India have given their verdict very loudly.
1. UPA has received a massive mandate, more than their expectations.
2. Parties who wanted to black mail or create confusion for their own self interest were rejected. Dozens of leaders who aspired to become Prime Minister from smaller parties, are now in pathetic conditions. (Lallu, Mulayam, Paswan, Maya, Jaya, Pawar, naidu, Gowda)
3. People rejected the parties who enjoyed the power till the last day and joined the opposition for their advantage. (PMK, used to jump from one party from other to grab power. Tamil papers used to make fun of them as 'jump'lingam. They lost all the seven seats they contested). This includes fourth front also.
4. Left parties, who were black mailing the earlier Government day in and day out, got their lesson.
If you observe, the people across the Nation have preferred a National party led formation. Now for another five years, UPA has a mandate to govern this country, without being blackmailed by the partners. Let us wish Dr Manmohan Singh all sucess in leading the Nation.
I was also observing some of the strategies, followed by the major formations during the elections.
1. UPA projected Dr Singh without any confusion. Though they were not using social media extensively like BJP, they were projecting youthful faces through Rahul. Probably, their campaign managers projected a fair mix of expertise of Dr Singh with the youthful message. Probably the tune 'jayaho' used by UPA also brought youth towards them.
2. NDA projected Mr Advani very well. Mr Advani's political expertise and capabilities were matching with that of Dr Singh. They used extensively social media. However, they could not project youthful face to the voters, to match the social media campaign. It is also reported that some of their own senior leaders sabotaged the prospects in North. Projection of Modi as a future Prime Minister is said to have created more problems in States other than Gujarat. No doubt, Advani is a tall leader and it was going well. I was also surpirsed, as to why, they were confusing the people, in the midst of the campaign.Their Hindutva face, alienated their own partners during the election process, fearing loss of Muslim and youth votes.
3. The third and fourth front parties are regional parties or confined to specific states. They could not project their own PM candidate like UPA and NDA. All the component parities had aspirations to become Prime Minister. Some of them, were negotiating with either UPA or NDA to shift their loyalties, depending on the post-poll outcome. All of them had their own personal agenda. Mulayam wanted Maya to be dethroned. Jaya wanted Karuna to be toppled. Gowda wanted his son to become a cabinet minister. Left wanted to continue to blackmail sitting in the Lok Sabha. Founder of PMK was negotiating with Congress to shift the loyalties, if they get Ministerial berth for his son. With this type of confusion and self interest, they went before the voters. The voters rejected them outright.
4. Another important factor is that unusually, all the three states that went for Assembly elections, returned the ruling party. (Orissa, Andhra and Sikkim). That indicates, the people also look for development and performance.
5. The Exit polls banned by the Election Commission is an advantge for the voters. The media did not confuse the voters with their 'advertorial or sponsored' exit polls. This made people to go to the booth with their own idea.
In a nutshell, I personally feel, Verdict 2009 gives a great lesson to our political leaders. India is emerging as a strong democratic Nation, after every General Elections.
I invite views from members on the lessons to be learnt from this verdict.
Srinivaqsan
Moderator
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