Why (not), Modi?

Modi Modi everywhere, but is he really worth the silverware? This is the overwhelming sentiment across the nation, as the biggest election show of the earth keeps the entire world enchanted with its magnanimity. There is no doubt about the fact that the key theme of this general election in India is certainly Modi, not only for BJP, but even for Congress, AAP, SP, BSP and all other political parties. Where on one hand BJP is busy in propagating how good Modi is, all others are running helter-skelter to prove that he is nothing more than a marketing phenomenon and his real identity lies in communal un-events like 2002 Gujrat riots.

And as the election season reaches its crescendo every Indian has turned into a political analyst, with very strong and self-proclaimed righteous view point. For some Modi led BJP is the only way forward for the nation, mainly due to Modi’s strong and authoritative personality driven primarily by a commendable development track record in Gujrat. But practically this view point is an epitome of optimism, as neither Modi nor BJP has any Potter-esque magic wand that can solve or undo India’s long ailing problems. Also, a hypothesis of transforming India into a Gujrat style development model won’t be the most prudent solution for two reasons – 1. By nature every state in India has a unique landscape, so a one size fits all philosophy will certainly not work. 2. Marketing gimmicks aside, the so called universally famed Gujrat development model is by no means a fool proof model, it has as many downsides as its perceived pros.

So does this mean that the Modi bubble is pretty similar to BJP’s India Shinning bubble of 2004? Does this also means that all the detractors of Modi are correct in propagating against a Modi led government coming to power? May be yes, may be no. Hence, the bigger question in this scenario is that what are the alternative options we have in hand that can go ahead and form a stable and promising government at the centre. Modi’s detractors propagate against him on communalism fears, dictatorial apprehensions and divisive politics but doesn’t these issues hold true with the incumbent or for that matter any political party that claims stake for the top spot. There are enough facts floating around that prove this true for all the leading political parties in India.

With such a background, if not for Modi led BJP, shall we opt for Congress again, the only other political party of the national stature and standing? But after all kind of lows that we have seen in the last decade in terms of inflation, poverty, unemployment, scams etc. this by no means seem to be a logical option, unless people want to repeat their mistakes and invite guaranteed misery for five more years. So can it be AAP, the new found sensationalism specialists but I believe a majority will agree that a PM sitting on Dharna in front of the India Gate won’t be a scene they would like to endorse, leave apart expecting development and other rather ambitious virtues from them. Or can a pot-pouri of all the smaller regional parties offer a solution to India’s long list of problems? Which I believe won’t be any less than a ‘tamasha of epic proportions’, keeping in mind the mercurial stature Maya, Jaya, Mamta et al. Or shall we go for the latest entrant in the house, NOTA, which seem to be the most relevant alternative keeping in mind the not so viable options we have in hand. Irony is that NOTA can be an option but it can’t be a solution, it can be a strong means to show our angst against the BJPs, Congress and AAPs of the nation but it can’t give us a strong PM for next 5 years.

So it brings us back to the moot question that when have been electing and re-electing same set of lackadaisical leaders for last 60 years, why can’t we give one chance to someone who at least looks strong, decisive and committed in his approach, appeal and assurances to the common man. In the worst case scenario he will also fail to meet our expectations as the leaders in the past have been doing as well but at least we will have that satisfaction that we have not repeated our mistakes and have given a shot to all possible avenues in hand. After all this country is not an registered asset of any single political party or family.

Cynicism apart it’s really the time to think Why, not Modi?  

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Some might profess to vote for a good candidate irrespective of his/her party, which seems very intelligent too but the problem in our country is that any non-BJP vote is effectively a vote for the Congress. AAP’s Delhi pun intended.

The Voting Day Euphoria!

I was more than excited for 17th of April 2014 over the last few weeks, as it happened to be the poling day in Pune for the 2014 general elections. And this led to checking for my name in the updated voter list for more than three occasions, I also happened to do a recee of the Indira Gandhi Primary School, that was my scheduled polling booth, as if the school will somehow cease to exist. And not to miss I have been brainwashing my maids, society security personnel as well about the importance of not just voting but voting for a change.

 

But this excitement was not just about getting inked or deriving pleasure by pressing the EVM button, it stemmed from the ongoing frustration about the kind of life we have been leading in the last 5 years, rather 10 years to be precise. And this dubious list of reason is too long and well known to be captured in a write-up like this but the only thing that a common man like me can do to protest against such a despondent governance is to exercise ones right to vote, vote for a change and inspire people around us to do so. Because, unless we exercise this right judiciously we don't have a right to crib for the next five years.

 

So when the much awaited day of 17th April arrived, despite a declared holiday, we got ready early in the morning and set out to exercise our weapon. But the scene across the streets and especially in my polling booth was unbelievable, people have not only thronged in huge no's to cast their vote but their exuberance was worth appreciating too. So much so that most of the people that have come around not only carried their voter id card but were equipped with their Aadhar cards, ration cards, driving licenses and passports too, just in case their names are in the voter list, they will do come what may to furnish all kinds of proofs to prove themselves as an eligible voter and exercise their right. There was stern resolve, a sense of determination in every voters face, that clearly signified a message of 'its my day and its my country'.

 

Though, there were incidents of cash distribution in some of my friend's polling stations, up to the extent of Rs.10,000/- for the educated and Rs. 5,000/- for the uneducated ones. But this was pretty much on the expected lines, as I have been hearing about my maids being paid Rs. 500/- to attend some political rally last week, silk saris being sold for throw away prices that had wrappers of the contesting candidates and lavish dinner been thrown by the same candidates to woo voters from the posh residential societies. But the best part was that despite all such attempts neither the folks who were offered up to Rs.10,000/-, nor the maids who were wowed by the cash and kind nor the elite class who were lured by such gestures were shaken in their resolve to vote for a change. Everybody had the same thing to say, 'we are not fools to get trapped for five more years by such irreverent freebies'. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the logic given by one of friends after accepting Rs10,000/- from one such tout, he said, 'see I have anyways voted for the one I wanted to and I am also sure that even if a new guy comes in he wont be any different, so its better I take this amount and use it in paying it back to them while getting any of my official work done, which is by all means an undocumented but a mandatory practice now'. Such is the acumen of today's voter:-)!

All said and done, exercising ones right to vote gives an immense sense of pride and a kick of sorts, that we have done our bit in choosing wisely for a better tomorrow. It can be rightfully argued that all the political parties and leaders are one and the same but even if the new guy is also equally bad we can at least console ourselves by the fact that we have not repeated our mistakes by not voting and letting the same guy ruin our lives for five more years. Let us all hope that more and more people rightfully vote this time around and contribute towards a better India!

Don't just vote but vote smartly!

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kin...