Elections Special

                India is going to polls this month and there is an air of tense in the political circles, festive mood in the people who are going to get cash for their votes and normality among those who benefit neither from the polls nor its outcome. For the generation next like me this is the first chance to cast a vote and see how the ‘magic’ unfolds. These elections also provide an opportunity for all voters to place the governance at state and centre in safe hands. The state- its land and water, money in the form of taxes, their use and misuse, for the next five years depend on the judgement of voters. In a country with high illiteracy and where far-sightedness of its people is repeatedly blinded by ‘traditions’ like money and liquor distribution, the missile called vote seldom hits the target.

               A triangular contest is on cards in A.P. with congress, T.D.P and P.R.P vying to rule. In its regime, congress implemented several schemes of which some of them reached out the needy but if allegations made by the opposition and the media are to be believed, the ministers are highly corrupt and prioritized their own interests. This is the backdrop in the formation of T.D.P and P.R.P. But the situation is not as worse as in 1982 when T.D.P was formed. There is no major alternative to congress at that time which is unstable and the necessity of a regional party to bag local-sentiment votes is felt keenly  by an astute, service-driven founder of T.D.P- N.T.Rama Rao. But P.R.P in the present scenario is superfluous in that it is similar to T.D.P. which is existing. Based on a rational evaluation, if either Babu or Chiru has to be chosen, Chiranjeevi qualifies as an actor on any day and for now Chandrababu as a politician. Both are fit for the job except that the experience of Chandrababu is an added advantage. An alternative to these stereotype political parties is being offered by Loksatta party which has entered the fray to redefine politics. The party came with an agenda to empty the trash in the political dust bin. Though it is a no-competition to the three big guns in terms of money and charisma, the magnitude of this party’s success is a barometer for the ‘change’ the public is aspiring.

               At centre, the all-including congress, B.J.P which has Hindutva at its core and the newly formed Third front, whose main ideology is to bring down congress and B.J.P are in the tussle to form the government. A look at the strengths of the 3 parties gives a outside chance of each party bagging a third of total Loksabha seats. Then, if third front remain true to its principle of non-cooperation with B.J.P and congress(which is nearly impossible), the latter two may join hands to impart real spin on the voting heads of the country. Such have become the nature of coalition politics where parties spend more time in attaining the approval of allies in an alliance than in implementing a certain plan.

 Congress : 123 agreement.

C.P.I :  No 123.

Congress:  Capitalism

C.P.1:  Communism

Congress:  Free trade.

C.P.I:   No trade.

Congress: U.S.A.

C.P.I:  Russia.

Congress: Right.

C.P.I:   Left.

                Thus the two parties which are poles apart came into coalition only to be at loggerheads. The need of a strong leader who can bring absolute majority with a single party is paramount under these circumstances. Till then it is going to be the same song. Singers may differ.