Congress Mukt Bharat
In 1971, €Indira Hatao, Desh Bachao€ was the slogan that created waves; but €Garibi Hatao€ was the slogan that really mattered in that election. Down the memory lane, there were slogans which needs an analytical observation to understand the mindset of the people who wanted to govern the country. A few of them were €Jai Jawan, Jai Kishan€, €Congress ka Haath, Aam Aadmi ke Saath€, €Maa, Mati, Manush€ which really mattered because there was a visionary value attached to it. Of course, there was €Bari Bari Sabki Bari, Abki Bari Atal Bihari€ but that Government lasted for merely 13 days. This times €Abki bar Modi Sarkar€ is much in rhymes with the slogan that helped BJP to form Government which collapsed in 13 days. There is nothing wrong in promoting a leader but when it comes to governing a country the visionary value should get the upper hand.
This election campaign is plagued by personal attacks and communal mudslinging. Undoubtedly the election campaign of 2014 has seen the much degraded form. Under normal circumstances, when we hear people talking like our leaders presently are; we call them a frustrated lot. The zeal and desire to take the country on a developmental path is lacking among all leaders across party line. Since pre-independence time, it has always been a fight of €rights€ but ironically this time no one seems to be talking about the rights. Strangely enough €RSVP Model; Mar Jawan, Mar Kishan, Pakistan and Honeymoon jibes€ are getting the applause. Unfortunately, development has taken the back seat. Astonishingly, it is being projected as if the mere utterance of the magic word €Gujarat Model€ is enough to explain that the country is about to see good times. No detailed explanation on how price rise, unemployment, educationtional out reach and health concerns will be dealt with. The opposition is not even bothered to find flaws in the policies and schemes of the present Government. Instead they talk about 2G, Coalgate, CWG and Vadra as if these are the wheels which will help in running the governing the country for the next 5 years. When it comes to corruption the NDA Government's 6 years rule was deceased by corruption and hence the €India Shining€ slogan failed to make any impact. When many flaws in Gujarat Model has been exposed by various eminent media personalities; the flaws in the UPA-2 Government's policies and schemes are undiscovered. Does that mean there are no flaws in UPA-2's policies and schemes. At least it seems so because otherwise the opposition must have exposed the flaws. If Gujarat Model is what symbolizes development surely it should be implemented across India. But will it be? I doubt. Ban on alcohol is also a part of Gujarat Model; has BJP announced banning of alcohol across India? Can the strongman Narendra Modi instruct its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to ban alcohol in Punjab, the state which has the worst impact of drug abuse in India? But SAD has never took such decision, seems even their allies have different views on Gujarat Model. Does Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Raman Singh and Manohar Parrikar follows the Gujarat Model? Doesn't that mean even within BJP consensus is lacking on Gujarat Model?
Why I say that this election lacks the visionary values attached in its campaigns because the BJP which according to the opinion polls are likely to form the next Government has neglected its own Election Manifesto. BJP released its manifesto on the 7th of April, which was the first day of Polls in India. Thus by not giving electorates enough time to analyse its manifesto and vote accordingly, the BJP has not only made mockery of the intelligence of the electorates but has also proved that development is least important but a €CONGRESS MUKT BHARAT€ is more. Change is necessary but people of India has the €right€ to know the direction of the change.
Ravi Verma
Twitter: @ravivermaravi
This election campaign is plagued by personal attacks and communal mudslinging. Undoubtedly the election campaign of 2014 has seen the much degraded form. Under normal circumstances, when we hear people talking like our leaders presently are; we call them a frustrated lot. The zeal and desire to take the country on a developmental path is lacking among all leaders across party line. Since pre-independence time, it has always been a fight of €rights€ but ironically this time no one seems to be talking about the rights. Strangely enough €RSVP Model; Mar Jawan, Mar Kishan, Pakistan and Honeymoon jibes€ are getting the applause. Unfortunately, development has taken the back seat. Astonishingly, it is being projected as if the mere utterance of the magic word €Gujarat Model€ is enough to explain that the country is about to see good times. No detailed explanation on how price rise, unemployment, educationtional out reach and health concerns will be dealt with. The opposition is not even bothered to find flaws in the policies and schemes of the present Government. Instead they talk about 2G, Coalgate, CWG and Vadra as if these are the wheels which will help in running the governing the country for the next 5 years. When it comes to corruption the NDA Government's 6 years rule was deceased by corruption and hence the €India Shining€ slogan failed to make any impact. When many flaws in Gujarat Model has been exposed by various eminent media personalities; the flaws in the UPA-2 Government's policies and schemes are undiscovered. Does that mean there are no flaws in UPA-2's policies and schemes. At least it seems so because otherwise the opposition must have exposed the flaws. If Gujarat Model is what symbolizes development surely it should be implemented across India. But will it be? I doubt. Ban on alcohol is also a part of Gujarat Model; has BJP announced banning of alcohol across India? Can the strongman Narendra Modi instruct its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to ban alcohol in Punjab, the state which has the worst impact of drug abuse in India? But SAD has never took such decision, seems even their allies have different views on Gujarat Model. Does Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Raman Singh and Manohar Parrikar follows the Gujarat Model? Doesn't that mean even within BJP consensus is lacking on Gujarat Model?
Why I say that this election lacks the visionary values attached in its campaigns because the BJP which according to the opinion polls are likely to form the next Government has neglected its own Election Manifesto. BJP released its manifesto on the 7th of April, which was the first day of Polls in India. Thus by not giving electorates enough time to analyse its manifesto and vote accordingly, the BJP has not only made mockery of the intelligence of the electorates but has also proved that development is least important but a €CONGRESS MUKT BHARAT€ is more. Change is necessary but people of India has the €right€ to know the direction of the change.
Ravi Verma
Twitter: @ravivermaravi
