IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF VERDICT 2009 FROM EYES OF A CRITIC
ARVIND K.PANDEY
The cat is now out of the bag .Let me say without entering in the narrow groove of subjectivity that once again Indian electorates have fooled all of us by voting in a very unpredictable manner. It appears that they are above all theories and predictions shared by the political columnists and so-called exit poll analysts. At present all of us are hailing the “intelligence of voters”. The political pundits are now saying that people have aligned with Congress only because of its commitment towards the development of nation.
Some are saying that our voters have done a great job by marginalizing casteist agenda of parties like BSP. The parties like Left and SP that are mixture of indifference, short-sightedness and vested interests have been taught a fitting lesson by the electorates by reducing them to virtually non-existent players in the Indian political landscape. It’s indicative of fact that people have by now realized that such parties are greatest obstacles in way of a resurgent India.
The Congress is at present on cloud nine. It has every reason to be in upbeat mood. It never expected such a thumping verdict in its favour. Manmohan Singh, who is set to be Prime Minister again, said: “The people of India have spoken, and spoken with great clarity.”Sonia Gandhi said that she never doubted the intelligence of electorates -““eventually the people of India know what is good for them and always take the right decision”. Some very enthusiastic analysts are highlighting the “Rahul factor” that helped Congress some stature in UP. Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that his party’s victory was a rejection of the politics of caste and religion and acceptance of “clean and honest” politics symbolised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.His decision to campaign alone in UP did not boomerang, which many feared. After all, his campaigning in 2007 in UP was a huge failure. In other words, he has matured as politician and now hailed as coming of age who is interested in greater democracy within parties apart from greater role of youths.
Let’s discuss the fate of BJP now. It has graciously accepted its defeat. Mr LK Advani has expressed its desire to quit. BJP said: “India needs political stability. It needs to put the national economy on track. It needs to strengthen national security. For these challenges, people have given a mandate to the UPA leadership to govern. The BJP and its allies, while acting as a constructive Opposition, will fully co-operate with the government in strengthening India.”It’s really pleasing to watch that BJP has not given any bitter reaction as it did in 2004 : “We accept the mandate of the people of India with all humility. We shall do our utmost to honour the spirit of this mandate.”
The Leftists, on the other hand, are shell-shocked. Prakash Karat said that huge defeat “necessitates a serious examination of the reasons”. CPI national secretary D. Raja said that the CPI would learn lessons for the future. His hope of having an “anti-Congress” government is now shattered after the humiliating defeat of Left front in West Bengal. There is not much to say about the performance of SP,RJD and BSP other than this that people have totally ignored their presence, their opportunistic elements.
Well, it’s very difficult to point out objective and subjective factors that dictated the outcome of verdict 2009. I wish to observe the whole results from critical eye. Though you cannot ignore the stunning victory of Congress with Congress and its allies gaining more than 50% seats, it’s hard to say that electorates really wanted Congress in the driver’s seat or that Manmohan Singh’s clean image and his policies mattered most to the electorates. How can you forget the fact that this time voting percentage has been very low in most of the states? Mumbai , the city that witnessed a big terrorist attack, didn’t took much interest in voting with half of its electorates refrained from voting. That was the case in other major cities as well. One of the chief features of this election was that it was devoid of issues. It was devoid of emotive elements. That’s why Congress was wrapped in insecurity and was wooing JD(U) and others. It really cannot be stated with conformity that Congress has really got mandate on the plank of stability .
Some state-specific strategies, the charisma of money, people’s frustration with Left in West Bengal and Kerala and complex political scenario in Andhra and Tamil Nadu enabled the Congress to make a comeback. In UP people are now totally unhappy with Behenji’s way of ruling and as a result allowed both BJP and Congress to register it’s presence. That’s why I feel it’s too early to endorse “Rahul’s magic”. In my eyes the strange hand of destiny has allowed the Congress to make a comeback. It remains to be seen how Congress use this so-called support of electorates.
For BJP it’s time for it to realize that why it’s not able to increase its vote bank. However, there is no reason for it to lose heart. It should realize that it has still managed to make its presence felt. It has lost in states where it had no strong presence and ironically in these states Congress was dominant like Kerala and West Bengal. It has to realize that if you don’t fulfill the promises made to the electorates ,the electorates are going to reject you no matter what’s your ideology .The victory of Sheela Dixit in assembly elections in Delhi or the BJP’s landslide victory in Chattisgarh or Nitish’s JD(U) spectacular victory in Bihar or BSP’s current loss in UP should make it very clear to the top brass of BJP that people want concrete progress and real development.
If you somehow can assure the voters that you are really going to do some good work, the voters are bound to elect you. I have always been in favour of two party systems. The present scenario is not exactly not moulded in two party systems but it has virtually allowed BJP and Congress to rule the roost. Anyway, it’s hard to determine the consequences of such new political developments.
I am also very happy that people have shown door to the Leftists. When last time they formed the government with Congress I was bit unhappy but,somewhere in my heart,happy too!!I thought that this alliance would allow the people to taste the real side of Left.I am now more than happy because the results confirm that people have now really known Left. Their exit along with the exit of likes of Ram Vilas Paswan and Renuka Choudhary-the lover of feminist agenda- is good sign for the development of democratic principles.
In nutshell, the burden of proving now rests on Congress. The real game begins now. Let’s hope that Congress does not play foul by making mockery of the faith of the electorates.
