Democracy is so overrated!
To being with, I'd like to bring the reader's attention to this wonderful clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FN7N5qQ24g
Frank Underwood, the President elect from "House of Cards" says "One heartbeat away from the presidency and not a single vote cast in my name. Democracy is so overrated."
Over the past several decades, India as parts and as a whole spoke in many voices - Vox Populi, fractured and fragmented. A few years ago, it seemed as if India would almost never get a government elected via a clear majority. I had started believing that Democracy is indeed overrated and disillusionment was rampant. While that sentiment is not totally gone, it is somewhat in check.
However, of late, India has demonstrated a strange and weird bipolarity. On the one hand, some of the worst and inhuman crimes were committed. These demonstrated we were still living in medieval ages. On the other hand, India has shown awareness. The reach of the media has succeeded in getting people out of their houses out to vote. Vote en masse. And how? If we take Delhi's example - the same set of people, first gave AAP a reason to exist, survive and then an impetus to grow stronger, aim bigger. Then that same set of people asked them to shut up and focus on regional politics. And then again in a few more months, that very set of people in some sense underlined their earlier message by electing them in such large numbers. In the history of Indian electoral politics, there perhaps has never been such a decisive mandate.
Points:
No matter what the ruling party (at the center) says, it IS a reflection on the arrogance of the government. The narcissistic pinstripe suit inscribed with his name was perhaps the last straw that pissed the people off.
Everyone wants a messiah. Whether it is Modi, Obama or Kejriwal.
Kejriwal antagonized several of his proponents - but chose to keep himself as the face of the party. That worked in his favor.
Just like Modi used the "Chai wala" epithet in his favor, Kejriwal made the "Muffler" as integral a symbol as the "jhadoo".
He played the "victim" card. Apologized for his resignation after 49 days. Kept a mostly positive campaign. Did not vilify Bedi.
India likes symbolism (also known as dramebaazi). Modi practices that and so does Kejriwal.
Such a drastic majority is dangerous. However, the synchronous, almost consensual decisiveness of the populi was refreshing - whether it was the national election or the state election in various states.
While the population is increasing in large numbers, the percentage of voters is also increasing.
That the election commission is able to conduct freer and fairer elections at this scale is perhaps the most underrated accomplishment. There is hardly any allegation of unfair elections.
Modi has far too many detractors within the BJP. Most of Kejriwal's detractors have either left the party or have toned down their rhetoric. Kejriwal is perhaps better poised than Modi to implement the revolution in governance. No excuse is available to them. Let's pray and hope that Delhi's "acche din" finally arrive. The one thing it most desperately needs is safety - proportionate to its image and reputation being the capital of the nation. And the only other thing Delhi needs is for its downtrodden to be uplifted. No middle class or upper middle class problems are more severe and more deserving than those of the jhuggi-jhopadi inhabitants.
What this election will result in - is a renewed confidence in AAP and the movement. More clean people will join politics. More positive politics could be seen in practice. AAP itself will start receiving more donations.
Let's all pray for a mature, civilized, clean, safe and developed India. Jai Hind!
Frank Underwood, the President elect from "House of Cards" says "One heartbeat away from the presidency and not a single vote cast in my name. Democracy is so overrated."
Over the past several decades, India as parts and as a whole spoke in many voices - Vox Populi, fractured and fragmented. A few years ago, it seemed as if India would almost never get a government elected via a clear majority. I had started believing that Democracy is indeed overrated and disillusionment was rampant. While that sentiment is not totally gone, it is somewhat in check.
However, of late, India has demonstrated a strange and weird bipolarity. On the one hand, some of the worst and inhuman crimes were committed. These demonstrated we were still living in medieval ages. On the other hand, India has shown awareness. The reach of the media has succeeded in getting people out of their houses out to vote. Vote en masse. And how? If we take Delhi's example - the same set of people, first gave AAP a reason to exist, survive and then an impetus to grow stronger, aim bigger. Then that same set of people asked them to shut up and focus on regional politics. And then again in a few more months, that very set of people in some sense underlined their earlier message by electing them in such large numbers. In the history of Indian electoral politics, there perhaps has never been such a decisive mandate.
Points:
No matter what the ruling party (at the center) says, it IS a reflection on the arrogance of the government. The narcissistic pinstripe suit inscribed with his name was perhaps the last straw that pissed the people off.
Everyone wants a messiah. Whether it is Modi, Obama or Kejriwal.
Kejriwal antagonized several of his proponents - but chose to keep himself as the face of the party. That worked in his favor.
Just like Modi used the "Chai wala" epithet in his favor, Kejriwal made the "Muffler" as integral a symbol as the "jhadoo".
He played the "victim" card. Apologized for his resignation after 49 days. Kept a mostly positive campaign. Did not vilify Bedi.
India likes symbolism (also known as dramebaazi). Modi practices that and so does Kejriwal.
Such a drastic majority is dangerous. However, the synchronous, almost consensual decisiveness of the populi was refreshing - whether it was the national election or the state election in various states.
While the population is increasing in large numbers, the percentage of voters is also increasing.
That the election commission is able to conduct freer and fairer elections at this scale is perhaps the most underrated accomplishment. There is hardly any allegation of unfair elections.
Modi has far too many detractors within the BJP. Most of Kejriwal's detractors have either left the party or have toned down their rhetoric. Kejriwal is perhaps better poised than Modi to implement the revolution in governance. No excuse is available to them. Let's pray and hope that Delhi's "acche din" finally arrive. The one thing it most desperately needs is safety - proportionate to its image and reputation being the capital of the nation. And the only other thing Delhi needs is for its downtrodden to be uplifted. No middle class or upper middle class problems are more severe and more deserving than those of the jhuggi-jhopadi inhabitants.
What this election will result in - is a renewed confidence in AAP and the movement. More clean people will join politics. More positive politics could be seen in practice. AAP itself will start receiving more donations.
Let's all pray for a mature, civilized, clean, safe and developed India. Jai Hind!
posted by Aniket @ 1:32 AM
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