The results for the General Elections-2014 are out. India has conclusively voted for change and it has voted big. Not only is the grand old party, Congress staring at it's worst ever defeat but also the credibility of it's leaders are in question. The BJP which was in the opposition for the last 10 years is winning with a land slide margin. So what had really gone wrong for the congress and what is the message that the common man is sending to those in governance? It is time for an introspection.....
The Congress had been in power for the last 10 years. But in the last 10 years, there had always been a lack of good governance. That holds true particularly in the last 5 years when lack of good governance was glaring and at it's worst. There had been a huge hike in prices with the government showing a lack for concern of the common man. Corruption had reached it's peak with several of the top leaders of the ruling coalition been seen having a major part in such cases. There was also a total lack of accountability. But what the congress and it's allies failed to understand is that the common man is not a fool and he sees and understands every thing. The first sign of the thirst for change in the minds of the common man for a change was seen in the aftermath of the Delhi rape. Common man, irrespective of cast, creed, age or social status came in thousands into the streets to protest. Such an unprecedented move was unheard off ever. But the government failed to understand the mood of the nation. Further the congress faced a rout in the state elections with it being virtually wiped out in many states. But there was a glaring lack of leadership with in the Congress.
The emergence of parties like AAP was a sign that the common man was frustrated with the lack of governance and a lack of lawlessness. Even after repeated terrorist attacks in the country and countless incidents of Chinese incursions, the government watched over in solid silence without lifting even a finger. Economy was in ruins. Prices of essential commodities started sky rocketing coupled with a steep increase in the prices of necessary amenities. The doing away with subsidies for petroleum products including petrol. diesel and natural gas that has made the same one of the costliest in the world has hit the common man the most. The government went about reducing the subsidies without having any cushioning effect for the common. So naturally the common was the most effected. There ought to have been a balance struck which the government failed to put in place.
The emergence of a party like AAP out of the blue was also a sign for the things to come. People wanted change and the congress better sit up and take notice. But they failed to understand the message. Further, the Prime Minister to whom the nation look up to at the time of national tragedy also failed to literally open his mouth and speak and communicate with the nation. There was a profound yearning for change. Further the next generation of leadership put up by the congress and projected as the future failed to catch the imagination of the common man. Further their immature antics and irresponsible statements to the extent of attacking Modiji at a personal level left a bad taste with the common man.
Modiji has also been quite a successful leader and has emerged as one of the towering personality of Indian politics. Under his leadership, Gujarat has emerged as one of the economic power houses of India but with an eye on the welfare of the common man. But his opponents ( read the congress) had been relentlessly attacking him, going to the extent of bringing his personal life into the public domain. Such attacks was construed by the public as a sign of the weakness of the congress in not having any particular facts to challenge him and thus engaging in the tactics of dirty politics.
So what is the message that the common man is giving to the political parties? The first message is that the days of partisan politics based on cast is long gone. Only those leaders who can deliver and who work for common man with stand a chance. This is a message for development and those who can deliver will survive.
We expect the new government to be proactive in safe guarding our interests and the interests of this country. The new government must send out a message that India cannot be taken for a ride and there will be a price to pay if they challenge us. We expect the new government to put the interest of the nation and the interest of common man above and beyond their own petty politics. We expect the new government to instigate measures that will rejuvenate the economy and will take India to being a predominant power house of the world. We expect the new government to be resolute in the matter of defence and law and order and take stern steps against all those who dare to oppose us. We expect the government to make an India where there is rule of law and where the common man can live with out fear of his life or person.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the BJP led NDA alliance for their outstanding victory and also wish them the very best in governing India and fulfilling the mandate given to them by the Indian electorate.
VANTE MATHRAM
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