| Vote for Development |
The dance of democracy keeps us entertained. Sometimes it anguishes us and sometimes it disgusts us as well, but mostly it is a good feeling to know that your single vote can make a difference- ask C P Joshi, who lost the election by one vote from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and thus also a chance to become the Chief Minister.
The year began with the political pundits doing what they do best- prediction. General elections were said to be round the corner with the Manmohan Singh government doing the N-Deal despite opposition from home and abroad. But domestic tribulations like inflation, commodity prices, fuel prices and crisis after crisis (terror, Kandhamal, anti-North Indian violence etc.) prevented the UPA from undertaking any pre-mature adventure.
Moreover, the state elections were a split verdict. While the nataka in Karnataka threw up its share of surprise in BJP’s opening of its account in South, Congress got unexpected victory in Delhi (Sheila fighting anti-incumbency and intra party politics became Chief Minster for a record third time) and wrested Rajasthan from BJP (in the face of in-fighting and a dominant government).
Shivraj Singh Chouhan retained his post in Madhya Pradesh- people rewarded him for the work sans rhetoric. Chhattisgarh was also retained by the BJP. One thing is surely becoming clear- people are increasingly voting for development and for the basics of roti, bijli, sadak, pani. Terror plank didn’t work, negative campaigning failed and caste equations didn’t split votes.
In the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir, finally there was something that united people- vote. Divided in 7 phases, the elections in the state that saw a return of divisive politics anti-India elements, voter turnout was more than satisfactory in all regions and the elections were largely held in peace.
Will the trend continue in 2009 when the UPA goes through its trial by fire? Will the people act on their infamous short memory or will they have a foresight? Importantly, will the politicians rise above petty issues and address what troubles the common man? In the words of Faiz: Hum Dekhengay...Full Coverage; Assembly Elections »
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