I haven’t blogged in all most a month. Such a long break is first of its kind. I wasn’t busy per se but I couldn’t write anything. There were quite a few things to write about but it felt like there is no point in writing. What’s going to change? Nothing! I don’t claim to be influential writer that well, influences people. No, it’s not about that. The question that kills me is that if a person of average intellect (which is me!) can see these issues so clearly then how on earth we as a nation fail to act on it? Does that mean majority in our nation have below par intelligence? I don’t think so. Then how on earth Congress can win this election so comfortably? I mean, it was a fair election. They had a plan and people voted for that plan. In short Congress party won an election legitimately. Congratulations to them. But they didn’t win on a successful five year term. I don’t know how they won but if their track record in last five years is of any indication then we are in for tough ride for sure.
Our nation has been constantly attacked by terrorists in last few years. None of the culprits were bought to justice. These terrorists grew so audacious that they bough the one of the biggest cities in the world to stand still and merrily killed 200 innocent people and fired thousands and thousands of bullets without any hindrance. And yet, nothing! Literally, nothing moved. Apart from this mayhem in Mumbai, we had several bomb blasts across the nation, from Guwahati to Bengalluru and from Jaipur to Hyderabad. All though the modus operandi was eerily similar, it seems the problem of catching the culprits has more to do with political will than simple law enforcement.
It’s often said that votes are decided by rather simpler demands like roti, kapada and makaan. I agree to that but even on that front the earlier government failed miserably. The inflation has skyrocketed with no end in sight. All though government figure steadfastly maintains that inflation rise is around 3 to 4%. To see the prices of lentils, rice, eggs and milk makes you wonder if consumer is mad. In the article published in Indian Express the author has conclusively proved that inflation rate has been 7 to 8% in urban and all most touching 10% in rural areas. That’s a staggering rise by any standards. This prices has been challenged both of rapid increase in demand and supply side inability to keep up with the demand. The second of this equation government is supposed to take care of. Instead, disinvestment has come to stand-still. The infrastructure has taken the back seat and red-tape hasn’t budged at all. I can understand that these age-old problems won’t be solved in one term but my concern is that the earlier government refused to take any steps towards modernization at all. This is particularly a sad picture considering our Prime Minister is hailed as a hero for his tenure as a finance minister in 1990’s.
The fiasco of another round of Reservation policy is long forgotten. The putrid character of Arjun Singh is still well placed in the government. After messing up another young generation he seems to be content person now. There was so much hoopla at that time that it wouldn’t surprise anyone if young generations boot out this government. Well, surprising it was that they actually voted in this government. As the saying goes “Khuda bachaaye”
And then there were foreign policy blunders like loosing Nepal to the communists. All though our foreign policy did great work in isolating Pakistan in the international community. But we will come to the foreign policy part in a separate blog.
These are some of the major points I would think of before casting my vote. Obviously it didn’t happen with majority of the people. I don’t know why. I am not saying BJP was the only choice and people should have voted only BJP but my contention is that folks aren’t thinking before voting. This is not a democracy we are striving for. Vote is not just a right but it’s a responsibility. The responsibility is to think and work for the betterment of the society and for the progress of the nation. It’s a heavy burden and should be treated with respect. In democracy we are supposed to ask questions to the politicians. They work for us. We are the rulers and they are serving us. If we are constantly getting attacked by terrorists then power is in our hands to protect and retaliate. If the food prices are sky rocketing then we are responsible for bringing them down. And easiest way to do that is to vote with responsibility.
If this election is heralding the age of two national parties tussling over power then that’s a welcome relief. However corrupt and incompetent Congress Party is, they are much better than likes of Paswan, Mulayam and Laloos. The other silver lining of this election was decline of Communists. Folks like Communist Party should be out rightly banned from India. Not only that they are corrupt, counter-productive parasites but they are anti-national too. Communists Party of India works more for China than for India. At least now they will be confined only to Bengal rather than wracking havoc in Delhi.
We will evaluate BJP’s future in next blog.
