"Passion is needed for
any great work, and for the revolution, passion and audacity are required in
big doses."
— Che Guevara (Argentinian,
1928-1967)
Word for the day
Thigmotropism (n)
Oriented growth of an
organism in response to mechanical contact, as a plant tendril coiling around a
string support.
Malice towards none
US has reportedly withdrawn
from UNHRC.
Should India follow, given
UNHRC biased role in Kashmir?
And why not close the door
on Amnesty International also?
First random thought this morning
In recent past multiple agencies have warned about the looming
water crisis in the national capital city of Delhi. NITI Ayog is the latest to
join the club.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that millions of Delhi residents are
facing serious water crisis. Inadequate and contaminated water are common
complaints. Many areas go without regular water supply for days. People rely on
tankers for minimum water supply. Quarrels and violence over water are
"normal".
The revolutionary Delhi CM, who wants to control everything in
Delhi, has totally failed in managing water resources, which are mostly under
his control. PM, who famously boasted his daily yoga regime in a 10acre lush
green lawn (where he lives all alone) has also failed in inspiring people to
conserve water.
Mandate 2019 - 3
As I begin my journey to assess the
mood of the nation ahead of the general elections due in less than 10months, I
find the sentiment in NCR (Delhi and surrounding areas) rather disappointing.
Most of the people I spoke to
(youth, retired, students, professionals, bankers, government employees, shop
keepers, traders, home makers and sundry politicians) have mostly TINA argument
to support PM Modi's case.
Unlike 2013-14, when a certain
section of the voters was found to be intimidated by the image of PM Modi and
termed PM Modi as persona non grata, this time no such sentiment is
evident.
At the same time the "large
than life" image of PM Modi appears to have diminished. The count of
people who believed him to be Taranhaar (the Rescuer), the one who will
rid India from all ills and evils in 2014, also appears to have shrunk
materially.
Initially, most people I met,
blabbed the viral ballads about PM's personal conduct and achievements on
social media (mostly unsubstantiated and lacking in credible evidence). However
a slight probe, made them admit that TINA (There Is No Alternative)
may be the only thing driving their support for PM Modi.
The popular perception about
Congress president and the primary challenger remains skeptical. His lack of
administrative experience, negative style of campaigning, lack of spontaneity,
and random ideas, make him unacceptable to urban middle classes, in particular.
People also dread the thought of
someone like BSP supremo Mayawati, TMC Chief Mamta Banerjee, or SP leader
Mulayam Singh becoming consensus opposition candidate for PMship.
Unfortunately, it's all
perception, and none of the people, especially youth and professionals, could
offer any credible argument to support their fears about visible alternatives.
Most of their arguments, opinions and view were based on social media posts
with questionable authenticity.
Surprisingly, the residents of
Delhi did not appear too annoyed with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. The maverick
leader who had lost the support of middle classes is staging a decent comeback.
Though none see a potential national leader in him, the positive acceptance for
him may again be creeping in amongst middle classes. In the city of Delhi
therefore he remains a formidable challenge to both BJP and Congress.
NCR sends a total of 22 member to
the Lok Sabha - 7 each from Delhi and Haryana, 6 from UP and 2 from Rajasthan.
In 2014 BJP won 21 out of 22 Lok Sabha seats in NCR, Rohtak in Haryana being
the only seat won by INC.
In my assessment it is extremely
unlikely for BJP to repeat the 2014 performance in this region. INLD, RLD, BSP,
AAP, SP and INC all may gain at BJP expense....to continue tomorrow
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