EXIT POLLS
HAIL THE VOTER, THE ELECTION COMMISSION, MODI & ARVIND
An Agenda for 2014 FOR
BJP and AAP
The Exit Polls for Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Chattisgarh have given the
BJP a clean Thumbs-up. In Delhi, it is a TOSS between AAP and BJP, as to who
will be the Number one and who, the number two. Congress anyway will be Number
three.
MP, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh did
have reasonably strong local leadership. But, Delhi did not have such strong
leadership. Dr.Harshavardhan may have clean Image, but he is not exactly the
leader who can swing votes on his own.
In all four states, however, the
Modi factor is the CLINCHER and the decisive factor. There can be no doubt what
so ever about it. Without the Modi factor,
the odds were still in favour of the Congress in all states – despite reasonably
good local leadership in three states in the BJP. Modi has been a Great Vote
Getter in all four states. No one in these states can attract either the crowds
or the Votes like Narendra Modi. That, to my mind, is a decisive, undisputable
factor.
Chouhan, Raman Singh or Vasundhara
Raje could not have won – without Narendra Modi factor.
Chouhan has a clean Image but not
many of his Ministers have such image.
Raje stands in opposition – and has
no track record to boast about while Congress’s Gehlot did have some reputation
and could have carried the day – but for the Modi factor.
Raman Singh had odds stacked against
him – because of Naxalite factor and killings of Congress leaders. The sympathy
factor could have worked for Congress – but the Modi factor swept the congress
out of Public Mind in a Big way.
In all three states, it is the UPA
Government at the Centre which has lost to Modi. If the negativity against UPA
was half the less, and if Modi factor did not swing votes against it, the
results could still be different.
In Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal showed all
his leadership capabilities – and attracted the public attention in a Big way.
Despite coming out of Anna’s shadow, he proved to be a tough leader and a
go-getter. He deserves kudos in a Big way. But then, Modi is a Better leader ,
a Better crowd Puller and a more practical leader too. Arvind promised 50% cut
in electricity charges – which clearly shows his impractical ways. Arvind should
not assume the whole India Inc as Public enemy. It is India Inc which is giving
India some Image and some progress – despite all the corruption unleashed on
them by the UPA.
India Inc offers the best hope to
make India Number one in the world, given a leader like Narendra Modi or Arvind
Kejriwal. Therefore, Arvind Kejriwal must not be antagonizing India Inc by
such impractical statements and
promises.
But, Arvind is more right tha BJP –
when it comes to CORRUPTION. Arvind is the only one who displays Zero tolerance
to Corruption. BJP, due to Historical reasons and having had to compete with
Congress, tolerates Corruption to some extent. This attitude should change
quickly. In Delhi, BJP has nominated candidates with criminal track record.
This is Bad. Comparatively, Arvind has chosen cleaner candidates.
In MP, Rajasthan and Chattisgadh
also, many BJP candidates are not with any great, clean record. This tolerance
of Corruption and criminality will in future weigh tremendously against BJP,
and in favour of AAP, if BJP has to fight the AAP. People will definitely prefer
candidates with cleaner record.
I do expect this trend to continue
in all states in future. AAP will rise significantly in all states and
challenge existing incumbents in every state. It should.
Unlike the past – People will come
out of their offices and houses to vote against corruption and criminality and
in favour of development in a Big way, in future. 9 PM and chill winds will not
deter them to vote against corrupt incumbents now. They will vote even up to 12
in the Night – to install a Government of their choice. Gone are the days of
the tacit voter. Hail the Indian Voter for this great maturity. We now wait for
100 percent voter turnout in many states. Hail also the Election commission for
conducting the Elections in such an admirable way.
Who should be given credit for this
change in Voter behavior? Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal must be given Huge
credit for this at a very personal level. Both have proved as good, tough
leaders who can swing votes their way. Rest of the leaders in BJP or AAP cannot
do this on their own. If only BJP had selected better candidates, the result
would have been much more decisive in all states.
Congress also must be given Huge
Credit for this voter behavior, but in the negative way. Voters decisively wanted
to vote Congress out. This much is clear. How many mistakes and wrong doings can a
Ruling Party commit? It was appalling. UPA II has been a disaster for itself
and for the country.
Political Vendetta was at the TOP of
its agenda, like nothing else. Whether it was the continuous harping on 2002 riots in
Gujarat, the encounter of Ishrat Jehan and other terrorists or the latest so
called snoop gate – directly linking any of them with Modi and persecuting him
was bad enough – to make Narendra Modi rise up like a Lion and take on Congress
in a more personal way. Gujarat has prevented Terrorism like no other state
could do, because it was tough with Terrorists. We need a tougher stand against
terrorists in general. Because of its unsteady stand, the UPA has allowed,
Naxalism to hold sway over more than one fourth of the country’s territory. Dialogue
with Naxalites and making them to come to the peace table is essential. But, tougher
actions are essential on whoever is unwilling to lay down arms and abjure
violence.
The country needs a good, tough
leader who stands for Unity and development. Modi fills the boots for all that.
Someone should talk of uniting people in the developmental process. Modi does
that. Gradually but surely, all including the Minorities will see the
practicality and essentiality of Modi’s ways.
Arvind Kejriwal, if he allies with
dubious personalities who can issue Fatwas for killing people, will bring
discredit for himself and for AAP. That temptation, he should resist. A few
votes from them will distance 10 times more votes from others.
UPA had hounded both Team Anna leaders
and Swami Ram Dev in a clear Political Vendetta – when they were not even
against Congress. They only wanted a Good, strong Lok Pal and to bring back
Black Money from abroad. Their agitations were only for this limited purpose
and largely apolitical at that point of time.
Slapping over 80 cases against Swami
Ram Dev, while protecting corruption within UPA, was enough provocation for
Swami Ram Dev to explicitly seek votes for Narendra Modi. It should be clear to
BJP also, that if Modi was not the PM candidate, this groundswell of support
would not have come for BJP. Swami Ram dev is an example of this. His
contribution to the vote swing in favour of BJP and against Congress is also immense.
While wooing Muslim Vote, Congress
was also alienating most spiritual leaders of Hinduism, through derisive
comments against them. Therefore, many spiritual leaders publicly blessed Modi,
indicating their preference indirectly, to their followers.
What could have gone against BJP? If
Hindutva slogan was more vocal, it could have created huge aversion against
BJP. It is a meaningless slogan and
should be played down. Instead, Indian nationalism (don’t call that as Hindutva)
must be given primacy. Second, the Mandir agenda is another fad in the minds of
certain BJP leaders. They can do nothing to build the Ram temple at the
disputed site until the courts clear the issue. Till then, they must not talk
of it at all. They must not be making Big Issue of a Non-issue. If anything,
someone can construct the biggest Ram Temple at a non-disputed site. That will
enhance India’s image too.
Modi and BJP must concentrate on
development agenda and corruption issues in all other states too – leaving out
these two useless issues. Modi does that all the time. But, some of the BJP
leaders are still not learning from these past Mistakes.
So, what does the future hold for
BJP, AAP and Congress?
To the great credit of Modi, he
allowed due process of Law to take place unhindered and punish his own minister
too – in a clean transparent trial in Gujarat. This is in sharp contrast to the
anti-Sikh riots trials where congress leaders are involved and are yet to be
punished.
All BJP states must now focus on reducing
corruption significantly in their states at all levels, political and
bureaucratic – and ensure that the fruits of development reach the common man.
If
Vasundhara Raje, Chouhan and Raman Singh fail in this, 2014 could still go the Congress way, or the AAP way. Modi factor will not work if these leaders fail
their people.
For this, BJP must draw up an agenda
for each state for development and get it implemented – from day One. BJP must not just leave it wholly to the
respective CMs – but must give them targets to reach – in consultation with
them. Planning for People must be goal based, plan based and must be evident
and transparent. This, more than anything else, will ensure BJP’s victory in
2014 for the Parliament and assembly elections.
Arvind Kejriwal has drawn up a Plan
from Grass roots level and it is transparent. That should be the way. Of course
that can be bettered a lot with expert planners help – which must co-ordinate all plans into a master plan.
Modi and Arvind must tour other
states too, from now on with clear agenda for development and create BJP’s and
AAP’s voter base in all states. Why a long standing Party like BJP must aim for
200, 250 seats? With Modi at the helm, BJP must Aim for 500.Why not? If you aim
for the stars, you will at least reach the moon. In this process, Modi must
necessarily take the help of Jaitley, Sushma swaraj and others in all states.
Someone should speak in English too, in non-Hindi speaking areas. Modi also
must speak in English at least in respect of important points in such states.
Arvind can and will do it – and walk away with great advantage in these states.
Therefore, Modi also must start doing it.
Alliances , if needed, will come
before 2014 elections – but only if BJP does not dent its secular image which
is being assiduously built by Narendra Modi.
Now, what of Delhi? It seems, it is
a fight between AAP and BJP only. But, I strongly suggest to both to come together
and govern Delhi for next 5 years. Give Delhi, clean, good governance and make
it a world class city. Arvind can only talk of cleansing the corruption. But,
Modi can talk of development also. He is a great planner. Arvind’s plan is Mohalla
based. Modi can plan for Mohalla as well for entire city in a co-ordinated manner.
Therefore, they must come together. Arvind, if he is unwilling for this, will
be disappointing Delhi voters. Arvind must not be expecting Delhi voters to come
again and again and vote several times, each time for a Hung Assembly at Delhi.
Therefore both must come together and Govern well. For that, Both BJP and AAP
should start the process right away after declaration of results.
This election has provided the
country with two good leaders. But, they must not disappoint the country now.
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