To add to the continued discussions on mainstream and social media on the recently concluded elections, and standing true to my birth right of rant, my thoughts on the results of recent elections:
1. Madhya Pradesh: Hands down victory to Shivrajsingh ji. He needs a special mention in every electoral analysis that will be written about these results. Third term with an emphatic victory and that too with a completely simplistic and non-controversial personality. A true leader of the people, simple in nature and a silent protagonist who toiled away with honesty and integrity reminiscent of the politicians from pre-independence era. Getting a third term at office with increased vote and seat share especially with a record turn-out is a feat beyond excellence. Hats off does not cover it, if I ever wore a hat it would be sweeping the floor for him today.
2. Rajasthan: A historical win. Perhaps the professionals in this field can explain how anti-incumbency can swing people's votes so much that the opposition party ends up with 81% of the house. Though Vasundhara ji is part of a royal family, this victory has got to emphasize her connect with the common people of Rajasthan. I heard a panelist (read congress loyalist) say that Rajasthan has always been a swing state and votes against the incumbent. However it would do well for the losing side to note that there is a difference between defeat and decimation, killing and carnage, exit and extinction. Even if we concede the victories were mainly because of anti-incumbency, the sheer emphatic nature and magnanimous proportions of the win tell a very convincing story for the BJP. No third front, no alternative - it was BJP all the way. Historic because never before perhaps in the history of Indian ballot has someone come to power with control of 81% of the house (here I would like to point out that the conclusion is not based on my awesome statistical prowess or cutting edge analysis or conversations with a tooth-fairy; so they be taken with a grain of salt)
3. Chattisgarh: My knowledge of this relatively new state and its political affairs is very low so I have cautiously tried to limit my thoughts to the fact that Dr. Ramansingh ji has successfully retained the office despite two major factors: (i) Congress doing what it does best in evoking sympathy for its lost leaders and, (ii) a strong naxalite presence in the state. It again speaks volumes of the ability of these leaders to connect with the people effectively and channelize party cadres well enough to maintain a stronghold on their offices.
4. Delhi: Notice perhaps that I saves this for the last. Delhi has been an enigma in this election. Especially given the maverick presence of AAP. Combined with effective arrogance, good nature campaign, honest and upright images of leaders as well as candidates and a firm base in a revolution to empower the 'Aam Aadmi', the AAP has stunned experts and bystanders alike. You can hate them, questions them, fight them, love them but now you certainly cannot ignore or dismiss them. I imagine Sheila Dixit felt what Aussies must have felt in the fateful test match when Laxman and Dravid put up a stand and wrested away a well set match from their eager clutches. Sometimes you can't do anything but watch aghast as a storm laps up the kingdom of fortune you built. AAP was that hurricane for Congress in Delhi.
BJP however managed to stay afloat thanks to a late in the game change in strategy. It worked for them enough to bring the party within a striking distance of victory. Beyond the AAP juggernaut and BJP hanging on, one stark reality shines bright as the Sun, Congress was routed. A leader for three consecutive terms could not even hold on to her own seat in a traditionally elitist constituency. It reminds me of the song from Peepli Live "Drona jaise guru chale gaye, Karn jaise daani. Baali jaise veer chale gaye, Ravan jaise abhimaani. Ekar ka bharosa, Chola maati ke Raam"
Everything has to bite dust some day; from magnificent personas to arrogant thrones!
AAP has shown that people can control the fate of their polity by taking genuine interest in politics, rewarding honesty and hard-work and kicking the backsides red of people who malign democracy. I'll say no more.
A note on the central leadership:
Rahulbaba: Congress is still burying its head in the sand pretending this is not a reflection on its central command especially the crown prince of the dynasty. Well, I guess the nation will be happy. A Rahul a day keeps Congress away. Apart from this, my thoughts on Rahul Gandhi are subject of another discussion and might take up many posts.
Narendra Modi: Rahul Kanwal's tweet sums it up right: "Anyone who deep dives into numbers & doesn't conclude Narendra Modi has been a factor in the election results should take off hate filled glasses"
1. Madhya Pradesh: Hands down victory to Shivrajsingh ji. He needs a special mention in every electoral analysis that will be written about these results. Third term with an emphatic victory and that too with a completely simplistic and non-controversial personality. A true leader of the people, simple in nature and a silent protagonist who toiled away with honesty and integrity reminiscent of the politicians from pre-independence era. Getting a third term at office with increased vote and seat share especially with a record turn-out is a feat beyond excellence. Hats off does not cover it, if I ever wore a hat it would be sweeping the floor for him today.
2. Rajasthan: A historical win. Perhaps the professionals in this field can explain how anti-incumbency can swing people's votes so much that the opposition party ends up with 81% of the house. Though Vasundhara ji is part of a royal family, this victory has got to emphasize her connect with the common people of Rajasthan. I heard a panelist (read congress loyalist) say that Rajasthan has always been a swing state and votes against the incumbent. However it would do well for the losing side to note that there is a difference between defeat and decimation, killing and carnage, exit and extinction. Even if we concede the victories were mainly because of anti-incumbency, the sheer emphatic nature and magnanimous proportions of the win tell a very convincing story for the BJP. No third front, no alternative - it was BJP all the way. Historic because never before perhaps in the history of Indian ballot has someone come to power with control of 81% of the house (here I would like to point out that the conclusion is not based on my awesome statistical prowess or cutting edge analysis or conversations with a tooth-fairy; so they be taken with a grain of salt)
3. Chattisgarh: My knowledge of this relatively new state and its political affairs is very low so I have cautiously tried to limit my thoughts to the fact that Dr. Ramansingh ji has successfully retained the office despite two major factors: (i) Congress doing what it does best in evoking sympathy for its lost leaders and, (ii) a strong naxalite presence in the state. It again speaks volumes of the ability of these leaders to connect with the people effectively and channelize party cadres well enough to maintain a stronghold on their offices.
4. Delhi: Notice perhaps that I saves this for the last. Delhi has been an enigma in this election. Especially given the maverick presence of AAP. Combined with effective arrogance, good nature campaign, honest and upright images of leaders as well as candidates and a firm base in a revolution to empower the 'Aam Aadmi', the AAP has stunned experts and bystanders alike. You can hate them, questions them, fight them, love them but now you certainly cannot ignore or dismiss them. I imagine Sheila Dixit felt what Aussies must have felt in the fateful test match when Laxman and Dravid put up a stand and wrested away a well set match from their eager clutches. Sometimes you can't do anything but watch aghast as a storm laps up the kingdom of fortune you built. AAP was that hurricane for Congress in Delhi.
BJP however managed to stay afloat thanks to a late in the game change in strategy. It worked for them enough to bring the party within a striking distance of victory. Beyond the AAP juggernaut and BJP hanging on, one stark reality shines bright as the Sun, Congress was routed. A leader for three consecutive terms could not even hold on to her own seat in a traditionally elitist constituency. It reminds me of the song from Peepli Live "Drona jaise guru chale gaye, Karn jaise daani. Baali jaise veer chale gaye, Ravan jaise abhimaani. Ekar ka bharosa, Chola maati ke Raam"
Everything has to bite dust some day; from magnificent personas to arrogant thrones!
AAP has shown that people can control the fate of their polity by taking genuine interest in politics, rewarding honesty and hard-work and kicking the backsides red of people who malign democracy. I'll say no more.
A note on the central leadership:
Rahulbaba: Congress is still burying its head in the sand pretending this is not a reflection on its central command especially the crown prince of the dynasty. Well, I guess the nation will be happy. A Rahul a day keeps Congress away. Apart from this, my thoughts on Rahul Gandhi are subject of another discussion and might take up many posts.
Narendra Modi: Rahul Kanwal's tweet sums it up right: "Anyone who deep dives into numbers & doesn't conclude Narendra Modi has been a factor in the election results should take off hate filled glasses"
No matter how much the detractors try to downplay the role Modiji played in this landslide victory it is a striking fact that his charisma has given the much needed boost to the party. Modiji's presence has energized the party cadre and people with a dream and vision of the future at both the local as well as national level. Local leaders and good politicians can give you a majority, even a thumping win; but there is a certain wizardry needed for historic landslides which was provided, undoubtedly, by the majestic Modi mania that is electrifying the country every coming day.
In summary, BJP is well poised to cash in on these victories if they pull up their socks, identify what went right and stick to the magical combination that seems to be working. AAP is the black swan, the dream come true for the common man who still believes, however minutely, in the ideals of democratic governance. Congress on the other hand is running fast to its own demise, unless someone realizes it fast and mends ways - which seems to be extremely unlikely in the near future - the wish of Mahatma Gandhi to have Congress dissolved post-independence will finally come true. I wouldn't say I would be sorry at that outcome.
~Hrushya Mhane
