State of Himachal Pradesh
went to polls yesterday to elect their future for next five years. With Anna,
Kejriwal and hosts of others shouting for corrupt free leaders, perhaps it was
a test case to interact with the voter of Himachal.
People of this state
are generally God fearing; comparatively honest with little ambition and
aspirations. The media interaction of people’s grievances or the wish list was
so very simple—bus stand; hospital; school; water for fields; jobs etc. No one
was wanting mega things, IIT, IIM, AIIMS, Rail factory etc., akin to the
demands at some of the other politically sensitive areas.
Himachal has been by
and large following the principle of two party system, though fringe elements
appear as independents or break away groups of two major parties but get
dissolved post elections. State has also been voting each party alternatively
for one exception.
BJP the ruling party is
led by Dhumal with Shanta Kumar being the in-house spoiler and the Congress is
led by Vir Bhadra Singh with numerous inside spoilers. The corruption cases
against Vir Bhadra Singh and his wife did lead to his sack from the Union
cabinet a short while ago, but finding no other option he was tasked to lead
the Congress charge. The exploits of Dhumal,
being a regional leader are not so well known, but his son who is BJP MP are
well known within the state. Land grab and getting industries by the back door
is the major sulk which has lot of credence amongst the people of the state.
Whilst speaking to a
number of people who know Himachal and have been residing there for a long
time, the issue has been quite simple. Both
the parties are led by corrupt leadership and everyone knows that but where is
the viable alternative?
There are dedicated
vote banks of both the parties. These are almost at par with Congress
dominating the old Himachal and BJP the lower Himachal. The floating population
is about thirty per cent. During the canvassing stage also a very interesting
logic was noticed- the dedicated vote bank would vote for the party independent
of the credentials of the candidate they were voting far. Since both parties were
equally corrupt so might as well vote for your party as some goodies will flow
should they come back to power. Corruption
and scams do not figure anywhere at all. And it is not for lack of awareness.
What are options for the Indians on the crucial issue?
National interest of
development are all bullshit the main concern is greed and promoting own kith
and kin and destroying the merit at the earliest ensuring total slavish mind-set.
Choose between the two
parties, i.e., BJP and the Congress. As far as the loot and corruption are
concerned both are at par.
The party with a difference
was away from the Dhritrashtra like dynastic loyalty of Congress but seems to
be catching up. Kith and kin are finding their way into politics; father ruling
the state and son/wife in the Centre or vice a versa
Smaller parties based
on caste/communal groupings like SP; BSP;DMK; RLD;INLD; Shiv Sena; NCP; NC have
gone a step ahead and beat both the major parties in corruption and pushing
forward the loyalists/kith and kin. Merit is the causality across the board.
It is not possible to raise a new party with
different ethics and values.
The only option is
between the devil and deep sea. It is well-nigh possible for Anna or his team or
anyone else individually or as a fresh grouping to visit all places and generate
clean options for the voters.
The option, in that
case seems to be to focus efforts on big fish and destroy them at the ballot (an
extremely tough task because they nurture their constituency with goodies or
goons) but doable. In case the stage is properly set there would be enough
filth provided by the enemies of the leader after all they would have
antagonised individuals/communities/sub groups. These dissidents and other
honest people within/out the government /RTI would give enough ammunition to kill
a dishonest politician on the ballot.
Simultaneously influence a sizable number of
seats to have a say as the future lies in fronts/alliances. Thereafter, force
policy changes through parliamentary debates and /or using pressure tactics.
To convince the voters
of the genuineness of the new outfit, it would be desirable to work out the
development plan from the lowest level. Once it’s inclusive and in harmony with
the people’s wishes, others will fall in line. Deliver or perish.
The quality brains/ sub
groups/ change leaders must start now otherwise the existing parties will
bulldoze by sheer power of money; goons and of course the organs of the state
which includes large part of the so called independent media.
So get ready to M.A.D. make a difference, few
can not we all can.
No comments:
Post a Comment