Posted by: gargi in India
The greatest entertainment show in India has just begun.Campaigning is over, all the votes have been cast - and it seems that the Indian people don’t trust any of the parties or alliances enough to give them an absolute majority. So now, the politicking is over and the horse trading begins.
It has been hilarious reading and viewing politicians over the last two weeks. Sanghvi of the Congress taking on Chari of the BJP is great entertainment, as is watching Sibal of Congress taking on Jaitley of the BJP. They seem to reinforce the comment ” how do you tell a politician is lying - his lips are moving”. Everybody is talking about a realignment of “forces” to form the next government.
The question still remains Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri? Because it is that one man or woman who is going to hold the coalition together. Those that are most likely are:
Vajpayee: in his Nehru mukhota is the most likely candidate. Pro’s - he is mostly harmless. Con’s: He is on his last legs, and i would hate to see him die and be replaced by a Modi
Sonia Gandhi: the leader of the Congress, a woman, relgious minority and foreign born to the boot. We can shut up all against outsourcing by electing her as PM:). Pro’s Would have one the elections against all odds. If she can manage Congress infighting, managing an alliance would be a cake walk Con’s: The RSS, the Bajrang Dal and others in the raving right would.spill onto the streets and prevent governance.
Manmohan Singh: The most likely face of a non-BJP government. Pro’s: the architect of reforms in India, a technocrat, and honest. Con’s: Has the charisma of a whitewashed wall, not a people’s leader. Never won a parliamentary election.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: : a strong man, ruthless to the core, Con’s: He is the con. a very scary leader. If he becomes PM renew your passports, pray for immigration.
Narasimha Rao: The wily old Brahmin - former Prime Minister and past master in negotiation, manipulation and governance. Pro’s: Experience, moderation, and the ability to handle sticky situations. Cons’: Age. Don’t want a PM tottering into the grave.
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Posted by: gargi in India
Many moons ago, a young dynamic Congress leader - Rajiv Gandhi - visited one of the most under developed states in India - Andhra Pradesh. The local fawning Congres leadership headed by Anjiah met him at the airport with garlands, fanfare, and an almost feudal tribute. Rajiv Gandhi - not the most mature of politicians - lost it and publicly insulted Anjiah. This was seen by many to be an insult to Andhra Pride. NTR launched the Telegu Desam Party in response - and the rest was history.
TDP has been winning elections term after term - and today Andhra Pradesh is the beacon of development for much of India. It’s Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, was considered by many pundits to be the role model leader. Progressive, delivering governance, modern yet traditional and allowing for overall development of the state. Hyderabad - the capital city - once known only for its’ Nizam heritage - began booming as the cyber capital of India
Yet today, as votes are being counted - it seems apparent that the TDP has been wiped out. A variety of reasons from bad rains, poor infrastructure, farmer suicides, anti-incumbency ,to the formation of Telengana. have contributed to this defeat. People punished a government that couldn’t provide Bijli Sadak and Pani. Nationality, gender, relgious orientation did not matter. The only issue was the economy.
The irony is that the defeat of the TDP is by the Congress. Sonia Gandhi’s Congress has won back a state lost by Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress.
I hope that Chandrababu Naidu finds a place in cabinet, no matter which alliance forms the government. He is too valuable an administrator to lose to the vagaries of political games.
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