Thought for the day
“If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a
Marxist.”
-
Karl Marx (German, 1818-1883)
Word for the day
Misoneism
(n)
Hatred or dislike of what is new or represents change.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Teaser for the day
I do not know why there is so much excitement over AAP’s
sarkari dharna in Delhi.
Communists ran West Bengal for 35yrs in this manner only.
Kolkata used to be choked almost every week for 35yrs. The only difference was
that Jyoti Babu did not sit on dharna. They had cadre who zealously believes in
them.
In this Mahabharata
no one shall remain neutral
2014 general elections in India are no ordinary elections. It is
decidedly a referendum on the desire and commitment of people for change in the
popular political discourse of the country. It is a two layered contest (a)
between continuity of feudalistic politics dominated by vested interests &
parochial considerations and aspirations of common people and (b) within
various political organizations, between status quoits and progressive
elements.
In this Mahabharata
nobody can afford to remain neutral. All need to take a side – right or wrong
only time will tell. I personally have decided to side with the aspirations of
the people.
Speaking for the political parties, their public posturing
suggests that most of them are rooting for the aspirations of people; though
their actions conspicuously indicate their indelible attachment to feudalistic
tendencies.
Given that apparently there is no
consensus within parties on the need for and direction of the change – it is
inevitably going to be contest about personalities rather than parties and
ideologies.
Narendra Modi from BJP & associates
has already established himself as the most vocal proponent of the change. His
overwhelming persona has successfully obfuscated the traditional agenda of BJP.
Many popular voices from business, commerce, finance and civil society have accepted
his credentials. A number of opinion polls have projected him as most popular
choice for leading the country.
Congress has reluctantly presented Rahul
Gandhi as its choice for leadership. The allies are not fully convinced. The
popular opinion is least convinced.
AAP is a new entrant in the game. In
short span of time they have admirably captured substantial mind-space,
especially in e-literate India. Its leader Arvind Kejriwal has emerged as
second popular choice, after Modi, for leading the change. His rebellious
demeanor, Marxist orientation and unpretentious disposition has attracted many
youth, social activists, and oppressed people towards AAP. Current poor
economic conditions and growing inequalities, usually a fertile ground for
spread of left influence, have also helped a great deal.
Unfortunately, most regional parties who
would actually decide who forms the government in May 2014 are however
maintaining their status quoits stance. Many regional leaders like Mulayam
Singh, Nitish Kumar, Mayawati, J. Jayalalitha, Sharad Pawar etc. sensing a 1996
like opportunity to become Prime Minister – an impossibility should India vote
for a change rather than continuity; and therein lies the complexity of this
election.
This election is becoming not so much
about winning but about making others lose. The candidate with highest popular
ratings in various opinion polls, viz., Narendra Modi, is obviously the prime
target of each and everyone.
A Narendra Modi win in this election,
most likely in my view, will change lot of things, this time perhaps forever…to
continue tomorrow
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