Election : My Review

Many people have their own views of why the Congress ended up winning records numbers inspite of many exit polls showing neck-neck fight between UPA and NDA.

In so many years, UPA (Congress) almost touches the magic figure inspite of many factors doing round against them. India being divided by socio-economic factors, giving a review as the whole nation will be difficult and not right. Regional issues plays main role rather than National Issues at many times and many places.

For example, UPA defeated NDA badly in Mumbai because Mumbaikar felt more safe in hands of Manmohan Singh during this period of economic uncertainties. The NDA doesn't have any stalwart who can match that of UPA. Second thing, effect of MNS who eats out many votes of BJP-Shiv Sena as both Shiv Sena and MNS has the same origin and goal so trying to differentiate between two will be difficult and confusing.

For small place like Manipur, the rule party always win whether there is issue or not. Seeing an opponent party winning was a rare chance in many elections.

But, there were few national agenda according to me which finally decides the outcome :

1. (Desperate) projection of LK Advani as PM candidate : It looked like a desperate effort from BJP to make LK Advani at least once as PM as if it is his birth right before the age catches up finally. The effort was unnecessarily too much that it started looking like a desperate measure. Add to this, hitting below the belts of Manmohan Singh calling him "Weak PM" didn't go down well with common man. Personal attack should be avoided if you are looking for top-post.

2. Economic Slowdown : NDA didn't have any big stalwarts who could match Manmohan or Chidambaram when it came handling economy. The economy was hitting the bottom. For a common man (urban), what is most important is safe job, good return and good sensex run. So, the common man prefers to be with the safe hand instead rather than trying with new hands of NDA. See how the sensex hit the upper circuit on the next day of UPA mandate.

3. Hindu Politics : BJP at times go beyond the limits of the understandability of common man. The brutal attack at Mangalore Pub was uncalled for. This separates the working youth class almost forever. This created a fear deep inside the mind of everyone of BJP coming to powerful and putting so many restrictions. The attack on churches at Orissa, Mangalore was highlight of BJP intruding other religions. No wonder they almost drew blank in NE India which is dominated by Christians. When this issues were dying slowly, the hate speeches of Varun Gandhi hit the headline of all National News which refreshes the memories of everyone of Hindu Politics of BJP. Denying the candidature of Varun Gandhi might have done wonders to the common man conscience but, BJP wanted to keep the other Gandhi in their pocket. This eventually confused everyone on the thinking process of BJP. The closeness of BJP with Bajrang Dal, Ram Sena etc. was another important factor. People worry that Bajrang Dal, Ram Sena may become too powerful with BJP giving them a free hand when it comes to power.

4. Nuclear Deal : Everyone understand that Nuclear Deal was really good for India except for Communist party. The opposition to such a good deal was like digging the own graves. The CPI(M) was the main opponents who even pull out support of UPA. This was total disconnect with the ideology and thinking of common man. Due to which, CPI(M) was even beaten badly in home grown also. NDA should have supported such deals but, being in opposition and wanted to rob congress of their good work, they also did the same things as CPI(M). This hadn't gone down well with the common man also.

For the above 4 reasons, I won't vote of BJP this time even if I'm a supporter of BJP every year and every election.


PS : I didn't vote because my constituency is more than 3 days away from my working place.