The 2011 assembly elections have been announced. The winds of change seem to have touched almost all states, save for Assam.
So whats so significant about this loss from the previous elections since Independence.
Yes, it is significant, especially for the electorate in Tamil Nadu. For the first time, it appears that the voters were not swayed by freebies and money offered by the then-ruling dispensation.
TVs, cycles, and currency notes, thrown in plenty didn't change the politican fortune of the Tamil Nadu's first family.
THe DMK combine won just 30+ of the seats losing its strongholds down south to the dark horse, Vijaykant, and Amma.
So what are the lessons our politicans need to learn, if any:
1) Right to Information Act has brought the skeletons tumbling out of the cupboard. So next time you want to make a quick buck, think of innovative strategies.
2) Family-first politics is sickening the electorate. It started with an Italian national and has quickly gaining currency among regional parties.
3) Electorate is price-sensitive, corruption-senstive. Any party that takes people for granted, most often faces the boot.
4) A fine balance between agrarian economy and industrialization is the need of the hour, or else parties will be left with nothing, just like the Left in Bengal.
5) Never, never take the television media for granted. Just as TV can help you boost your ratings, so will it bring you down when you are in a deep mess.
Hope this has taught the fools some good lessons. The incumbent chief ministers will be sworn-in soon. New set of ministers will begin rolling in their agenda.
So, does this guarentee better governance? This i guess is something time will tell. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the moment.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Pseudos
Have you ever wondered why some people can be vicious, hate-spewing? Why they feel a thrill and complete sense of pride in their utter ignorance?
Well, I have met such an individual. The first time our paths crossed was during a friend's marriage. She appeared sweet, simple, and polite. However, over a period of time I got to meet her more often, mostly online.
Her blogs and face book message at first were amusing at first. It ranted against a certain majority community and against a particular religion with a holier-than-thou attitude.
As time passed and I read more of her posts, I realized the utter contempt she held for people of a certain community. She hated them for being born in that community rather than what they were.
She blamed the ills on that community and anyone and everyone born in that community. She had views on anything and everything. She appeared to be a strong-willed individual who knew what exactly she wanted in life.
Yet, she was a picture of contradiction. A self-proclaimed Marxist, yet she had qualms in working for Bank, an institution that is abhorred world over for its exploitation of the poor, especially those in developing countries. Its a bank, the Marxist love to hate.
She believes in debating issues, yet is unwilling to listen to any opinion that does not agree with her own. She feels dearly for the misfortune about a certain community but has done little beyond reading and collecting newspaper stories about atrocities committed against that community.
What a bundle of contradictions, she is!!!!
Hmm.... a common friend of ours agreed that the world has its share of weirdos and we must learn to live with them in peace! I guess that's what makes life so interesting.
Well, I have met such an individual. The first time our paths crossed was during a friend's marriage. She appeared sweet, simple, and polite. However, over a period of time I got to meet her more often, mostly online.
Her blogs and face book message at first were amusing at first. It ranted against a certain majority community and against a particular religion with a holier-than-thou attitude.
As time passed and I read more of her posts, I realized the utter contempt she held for people of a certain community. She hated them for being born in that community rather than what they were.
She blamed the ills on that community and anyone and everyone born in that community. She had views on anything and everything. She appeared to be a strong-willed individual who knew what exactly she wanted in life.
Yet, she was a picture of contradiction. A self-proclaimed Marxist, yet she had qualms in working for Bank, an institution that is abhorred world over for its exploitation of the poor, especially those in developing countries. Its a bank, the Marxist love to hate.
She believes in debating issues, yet is unwilling to listen to any opinion that does not agree with her own. She feels dearly for the misfortune about a certain community but has done little beyond reading and collecting newspaper stories about atrocities committed against that community.
What a bundle of contradictions, she is!!!!
Hmm.... a common friend of ours agreed that the world has its share of weirdos and we must learn to live with them in peace! I guess that's what makes life so interesting.
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