First posted on 29Apr2014
The world is watching as the largest democracy is voting to constitute its 16th Lok Sabha. The election taking place in nine phases (7 April to 12 May 2014), is the longest in India’s history and possibly the most exciting.
For one, 150 million[1] of the young digital generation, are going to vote for the first time. Their expectations from the government are very different from the voter the political parties have catered to all these years. They are informed, opinionated and vocal about their choices.
Secondly, the impact of this new electorate has been seen in the election campaigning. Social media has for the first time been used to such an extent in Indian elections. The secret ballot is not so secret any more with people freely expressing their intentions to vote for one party or the other. Humor, something sorely missing in Indian politics, has also entered the equation with jokes on candidates doing rounds on Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp.
And lastly, this election has become more about individuals than the parties they represent. And even in that contest, that between Narendra Modi (BJP) and Rahul Gandhi (Congress), we have seen the unexpected entry of Arvind Kejriwal (AAP). There are of course smaller parties doing their own bit, but they will ultimately end up in some alliance or the other and that’s where their relevance lies.
As the elections proceed, let’s take a look at how these brand ambassadors of their respective parties have performed. And what could be the expected results.
Mr. Kejriwal, in a spectacular rise in his political career, started the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in late 2012 and appealed to the common man. He soon threw out the incumbent state government and became Delhi’s youngest Chief Minister[2] in an election that came as a shock to everyone. But this stint was short lived mostly because his inexperienced governance failed to meet people’s expectations. The anarchy route that he took, a show of bravado in my view, only contributed to his failing credibility. He finally resigned as Delhi’s CM and is now contesting LS polls from Varanasi. But because of the theatrics, the threat that he could have posed to established parties is much diminished.
Mr. Gandhi on the other hand, though not officially nominated as the PM candidate by congress, is actively campaigning across the country. But to anyone following these campaigns, it’s clear that he is just not cut out for the job. While the Congress may have looked to him as their brand ambassador to a young, shining India, he has failed miserably to get people’s attention. So much to that mom Sonia, and sister Priyanka have been pulled in at the last minute to pick up the pieces. Rahul has been criticized for his faux pas[3], his lack of awareness on issues, his disconnect with the rest of the party and with the pulse of the nation. Add to that the accusation of scams that congress is dealing with and the picture is not rosy. So much so that the congress stronghold that was Amethi is now an uncertain territory[4]. Of course his oratory skills leave much to be desired especially in front of Narendra Modi.
Mr. Modi unlike his opponents steadily rose to power in BJP ranks and finally pushed aside the veteran Advani to claim the PM position for himself. As opposed to the struggles faced by AAP and Congress, Narendra Modi (popularly called NaMo) has led a spectacular campaign. And I say it from a politically unbiased viewpoint. He has dazzled, wooed, and roped in the young India that wants growth, prosperity, and empowerment. He has projected an aggressive, no-nonsense image in contrast to the anarchy favored by Mr. Kejriwal and utter helplessness that congress seems to be communicating. He has picked up a development agenda instead of a ‘subsidy’ route and touted the Gujarat model everywhere expounding his ‘executive’ abilities. There have been controversies – about his wife, about the Godhara riots, about refusing to wear a skull cap, about Hindutva – and no one is yet sure what will be India’s fate if NaMo comes to power[5]. In fact Indian origin academics in the UK have openly said that the idea of having Narendra Modi in power fills them with dread[6]. Yet, it cannot be overlooked that this ‘chaiwala’ from Gujarat has taken the nation’s fancy.
While the campaigns and debates rage on, opinion polls certainly seem to be favoring BJP[7]. But we can only wait and watch till the final results to find out if India is ready to be ‘Modi-fied’.
