Some suspense always lingers during the time lag between voting and counting. Not so with the recent elections to five State assemblies. Sure, it is never a good idea to deem a future result as a foregone conclusion. But there is one strong reason why not just ‘scientific’ opinion/exit polls but even random guesses could turn out to be, er, approximately accurate: Congress! The disenchantment is so high that none bothered to survey Mizoram where the party might win!
The national mood is overwhelmingly against the ‘Indian National Congress’, a label that is a historical travesty and a lie in every word. The ‘Congress’ of freedom struggle vintage ceased in 1969 and what emerged and extended itself since through raw power was Indira ‘Congress’. Today it is Sonia ‘Congress’, soon to be followed by Ra(h)ul ‘Congress’, as and when the natural inheritor rolls up his sleeves. Besides, the term ‘Indian’ is now a mockery while ‘National’ is no longer a reality. One hopes, the bluff on the other long-standing copyright violation, ‘Gandhi’, is also addressed soon. We owe it to the father of the nation.
Of course, this is no obituary for the ‘current’ Congress. The party is not totally devoid of a face and a base, whatever they are worth. The country’s political roulette can throw a lifeline anytime. The palpable anti-Cong trend that emerged in the State elections has to be sustained till the LS polls. For that, ironically, we have to and can, trust the indecisive MSingh to continue in form in order for a decisive verdict. But there are other spoilers. A defeated, desperate, devious and diabolical ruling party will now go to any extent to retain power. The mischief can happen anywhere, from post-poll coalition tricks to threats and intimidation while now in power. Popular suspicion also revolves around EVMs.
Cong’s self-goals, which has cost the nation heavy for a decade, may be the prime reason for its impending debacle. But none can take away the credit from BJP CMs like Modi, Shivraj Chouhan and Raman Singh for consistently bucking anti-incumbency theories with sheer performance and integrity for almost a decade and a half now. There is much to learn from their governance models and methods and these have to be replicated at the Centre, if the nation is to come out of the abyss that the Cong has pushed it into.
That imposes a huge burden on the BJP and its PM candidate. A clear mandate in May is a must and that cannot come as easily as in the State polls. The beginning has no value if it is not built on. Though a frustrated and suffering population is yearning for change, for the first time in decades there is a positive vote too up for grabs. Modi and his peers have created that hope. The alternative the BJP under him represents has evoked an affirmation, not just a negation of an incumbent. The trust has to be harvested during the next few months. And if indeed, the party makes it, alone or with allies, an impatient nation will spare no time in expecting instant performance. And will not spare it if it fails.
And not for a moment should the BJP imagine itself as a sole saviour. Rajasthan is a reminder that the roulette is still rotating. But Delhi is where the real story lies. Whatever the numerical count on Dec 8, fact is the nascent Aam Aadmi Party has made a resounding impact, giving the run for both the national parties. Though one should not be carried away nor can one certify the credentials of its candidature, the AAP’s foray is welcome as a concept. It is an experiment worth its vote, positive votes at that, and should be replicated, with local flavour, all over the nation. ‘Non political’ political alternatives to the present political parade of parties as a whole may be a pipe dream, but still worth dreaming. Even more entertaining and enlightening would be to watch this fledgling, fresh off the cradle, navigate the clogged and corroded power corridors.
Delhi may after all have put a new idea on the roulette!
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