There is a joke that goes around media circles in Mumbai. It is about a survey conducted by a baby food manufacturer on mothers and their attitudes towards children. The agency spends a fair chunk of the clients money to do cutting edge research in Metros’, mini-metros’, semi rural and rural areas across the country.

A bunch of eager beavers travel to different parts of the country pouncing on unsuspecting mothers for their views. And ofcourse there are focus groups. And there are phone interviews. All in all, what one can call a “good billable” survey. Comes D-day and the agency is going to reveal its collective gyan to the client firm’s management. And comes the bit gyan “mothers in India love their children.”

This weeks’ leaked Congress report on their election failure reminds me somewhat of that story. The conclusion that the 130 odd year party reached was:

a) the chief ministers’ in the state basically fucked up

b) they should spend less money on helicopter rides to various constituencies, and spend more time trying to reach the voter through mass media – like radio and television.

Amazing. And they needed a high level committee and three lost states to tell them that. If they worked for your company you would sack them for gross neglect and grosser (if such a word exists) incompetence.

How does a party with such lack of touch with where the country is going hope to get elected. And if they do get elected how will they administer and govern?

Recent surveys show that over 50% of Indian homes have access to Televsion. More households have TV than have accessible sanitary facilities. Indians spend around 14 to 16 hours a week watching television. Both in rural areas and in urban areas.

Which time warp is the Congress stuck in. I cannot stand the Hidutva Brigade. But one has to admit that they ran a professional election campaign. In their campaign they spoke the people’s language. That is not Hindutva, it is not secularism. It was about the economy. Something that is called the BSP factor – Bijli, Sadak aur Pani – (electricity, roads and water). And they stuck to that mantra. Almost like Clinton hammering away It’s the economy, stupid. The Congress needs to find the people touch. Otherwise they might as well disband.