17 March 2014, 12:30 AM IST
Even before the final phase is to come, a page of history has gone to the Delhi chapter, where a three-time reasonably well-performing state government was badly mauled for the sake of free seven hundred litres of water but not an ounce more, and some loose connections of wires from the pole to the colony. Seven hundred litres, roughly one and a half times the volume of an average overhead tank, should be sufficient for the routine sahib, biwi, baba and ghulam and their small or midsize sedan. Further heating, cooling, purification was also at a discount with the tightening of the discoms. The the age-old concept of "dana-paani" as an election sop, was replaced by "paani-batti", and a clean-up operation symbolized by a broomstick. It was the sort of electoral marketing which was only noticed for its impact in the post-poll phase. What worked was that these acts and symbols were dubbed to represent clean, graft-free governance that people were eagerly waiting for. So much is the belief in these promises, and so much has this symbolism become synonymous with the identity of the common man that actually the resignation of the said government further added to the clean image of the party, that no one dare counter their criticisms towards their rivals, even the press.
Populism in politics has no fixed rules. It is entirely a perception, and the game is how to capture the mindset of as many differing groups as one can. It is entirely about aligning the campaign with what is foremost in the minds of the larger chunk of the polity. Campaigns do not always run on reason. High productivity may sometimes be set aside for sterile, presumed honesty. More basic instincts arising from regional, language, caste and religious leanings, invariably have to be encompassed in the overall campaign. Irrational emotions, extreme biases are still to be won over. What one gets as a continuation or replacement is what is called a nation's destiny. There have been two instances in the past where a government's constitutional transgressions or graft were issues that led to a change in government. The first was after Emergency where people rose for a common cause that was beyond the usual regional, caste and communal divide. The government that came to power was a combination of many ideologies, and did not last a full term. Beyond what is good or bad, lies a sense of pragmatism, ability to detour and come back on course, keeping in mind discipline in governance. Performance finally is the course to stability, which may not be a driving force in emotionally charged pre-election scenarios.
The other was an "honest" Mr V P Singh coming to power, on the Bofors scam, which at the time seemed to be the biggest in Indian history. He coupled that with a certain caste equation that actually put most of his own chosen ones, including himself in a minority. Bofors was far from solved, and Mr V P Singh, a respected politician, known for his integrity, had nothing more to add to his tenure as Prime Minister. Truly, he had no agenda for the country. That the nation has learnt lessons that honesty that appears so in a static, rigid, leadership, is of no use, is still difficult to say.
The present favourites have gathered much momentum from a graft-ridden UPA II, but with corporate backing, an industrial and business background in some of the states ruled by them, do have economic plans. The implementation for economic growth is what is to be seen. What is being seen as a dire necessity in both the major contenders as well as the reverse sweep party, is the presence of professionals in each key ministry to optimize the performance. To the credit and continuity of the present party, they are for once re-aligning their reforms. The recent spurt in the sensex, may not be so much due to a wave of change anticipated, but due to the continuation of economic reforms, particularly in the banking sector.
There would be international players that may have interest in the outcome of these elections. India particularly has an edge in software, pharmaceuticals. Shuffles, licence and quality issues are already in the offing. There would be more participation in terms of acquisition and mergers in these sectors. Where it is well organized, Indian private healthcare is world standard, with the major health chains, certified by the American standards body or JCI (joint commission international). The tariffs are compellingly competitive. It is even more competitive than many third world countries, east European countries, and Africa. Will healthcare get the boost and will it stand up to the challenges in health in our massive population, and take the burden from outside because of its unbelievably low cost. The Universal Affordable Healthcare of President Obama, understandably was not the sort of programme that could easily slide through the "eye of the needle". But the concept is there, and given the amendments and incubation period is likely to revive again. With whatever be the government coming to power, will India be participating to its potential?
While the common man is always obsessed with the word "change", do we have the political maturity, the professional talent to sail us through. Political posturing, so-called ideological projections are to catch power. Performance, answerability, has been the Achilles heel. That is the real difference between the free sanction of seven hundred liters of water per household in the capital state, and being able to hold on long enough to give permanency to the change.
What hits the headlines from now onwards are local street soaps to keep the common man in the election mode. That is a game necessary for the masses. Most enjoy the heat, hate generated at election time. I suppose the opinions and heat over the world soccer would be the same. Tantrums and sloganeering are allowed. There is a Constitution we all swear by. Political antagonism, mostly a put-on farce, need not divide the people. There is this beautiful clause of equal opportunity, equality socially, and before the law.
My pressing query remains. Mr Kejriwal, this Holi if we exceed the seven hundred mark by a few bucketfuls, are we exempted for just that day from being included in the routine tariff?. The Delhi Jal Board, recently sanitized by you, normally gives an uninterrupted daylong supply! That is not to dissuade you from your unbelievable ascent!
Actually, it may go largely in your favour!
Happy Holi!
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