To describe Tuesday's election results as stunning would be an understatement given that incredible stories have emerged in at least three of the five States that went to the polls over the past six weeks. Overall, the verdict dealt a devastating blow to the Congress. The party lost Goa. It failed to wrest Punjab and scraped through a virtual tie in Uttarakhand — both of whose incumbent governments had been considered pushovers. And it crashed to the bottom in Uttar Pradesh where Rahul Gandhi led a shrill, high profile campaign. Only in Manipur did the Congress sail through comfortably. This election got its edge-of-the-seat excitement from two extraordinary performances and one cliffhanger: In U.P, the Samajwadi Party led by the father-son team of Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav demolished every barrier in sight to capture more seats than any victorious party had in two decades. The SP powerhouse pushed arch rival Bahujan Samaj Party to a distant second, with the rear being brought up by the BJP and the Congress-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance. In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine made history by becoming the first government to retain power in 46 years. In Uttarakhand, the BJP and the Congress ended neck and neck, with the latter enjoying an edge because of the support from independents.
Mulayam Singh undoubtedly contributed to the SP's phenomenal success in U.P. but it was the affable younger Yadav who was the SP's campaign driver. Through dogged effort and a positive campaign, he transformed an ideologically fuzzy party — which had been severely weighed down by the Amar Singh-Bollywood baggage — into one that was rid of its goonish image and looked aspirationally young and modern. That the SP surpassed the BJP's1991 tally of 221 seats achieved during the Ram wave speaks for itself. The BSP, which was uniquely placed with a committed core vote, has only itself to blame for squandering away a rare opportunity. Ms Mayawati restored law and order and instituted several positive measures, especially towards the uplift of the Dalit community. But her achievements faded when measured against the corruption of the administration and her own perceived arrogance. In the end, the statues she built for herself became a metaphor for the regime's obsessive self-interest. For all this though, it would be premature to write off the BSP, which even in defeat has polled around 26 per cent, against an estimated 30 per cent by the SP. Unfortunately, there is no such consolation for the Congress: the party was routed in U.P., surrendered the anti-incumbency advantage in Punjab, was nearly edged out in Uttarakhand and performed abysmally in Goa. It does not help the Congress that the BJP has emerged with a much better score at the end of Elections 2012, which might well become a turning point for both parties in their quest for power at the Centre two years from now.
The elctoral demolition of the BSP and the resounding victory of the SP should indirectlry be credited to Annaji. He it was who kindled the fire to eradicate corruption at all levels.And the people of UP rose oas one to the occasion in booting out the most corrupt megalomaniac in the history of UP. Dynastic charisma is dyiing out.
There is a lot to complaint and distrust about Indian democracy.
Least of which is its stubborn Gerontology which drives Indian State and Federal politics, since 1947. There is little or no evidence Congress has recognized that future of Indian democracy depends on the youth and their capacity to get involved in governance at state and national levels.
Rahul and his opposition in UP just illustrated what can really happen with youth in-charge. There is political dynamics based, of course, on caste system so ingrained in UP after more than 60yrs of independence.
Give youth a chance. And finally end politics of gerontology and let them all - by default - be gone from public debate.
Some pundits claim, that Congress defeat has generated uncertainty, and the consequent turbulence would discourage investment by the big Indian ones and FII, and decelerate sell off of the PSUs?
To common people like me such a turbulence is a boon. In stead of multiplying their capitals through easy return from the stock market the industrialists must improve their products to increase their capital.
The behemoth investors and the FII would may very well find new friends in the new politicians, and the stock market would start flourishing in a few months.
I appreciate the balanced views expressed in you editorial. The higher voter turn- out only shows people's faith in the democratic system. The Mayavati Govt. has frittered the goodwill of the people and lost its place. It also shows that politicians--intoxicated with power-- and self-interest, could not survive. Common man has succeeded. This elementary lesson, has not been learned by the grand old party of India. Samajwadi Party has to do a lot to retain its place in the largest state in India.
Sonia Gandhi seems to have realised at last that her own party MPs and
MLAs failed to influence the voter both in Raebarelly and Amethi where
congress has been punished severely.The so called charisma of
Sonia,Rahul,Priyanka and her off springs will not get votes even in 2014
which fact must be remembered by the family.People want any elected
government to look after their welfare.
This is not good for the development of UP. If no national party
could not came in the administration.... BJP should be the lead
governence in UP, However it doesn't seem to be in near future......
As the editorial has correctly stated the verdict has dealt a devastating blow at the
Congress. People are now fully aware of the endless difficulties they have to go
through which is reflected in their large turnout to exercise their franchise.. It is
also in this context the Congress in spite of all the road shows displayed by Rahul
Gandhi days on end have miserably failed to have any impact on the electorate. It
is high time the Congress sheds its complacency and revert to collective
leadership and It is also a clear signal that the days of dynastic dispensation are
coming to an end, Leaders are chosen from the grass-root level and not thrust
from the top. The recent elections in UP and four other States should give the
leaders of all political parties ample time for introspection and set their houses in
order. The Election Commission has done an excellent job in conducting the
elections peacefully .
A British gentleman told me that Indian Democrazy is immature and could not come out of the Dynastic rule (Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty). I told him, "just like British worship "royal gene" even though the genes were of a mixture of Hanover Dynasty (German), Zars(Russian), Greeks and so on. My friend replied that the so called Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty is neither Nehrus nor Gandhi because Rahul Gandhi derived his Y gene from a Persian (Iran) Feroze Jehangir Ghandy(Indira Gandhi's husband) and X gene from an Italian (Sonia Gandhi)! Then I relaised why Rahul failed to understand the mood of the average Indian and of course the monster 2G mega corruption!!!
That with each and every passing election, the regional parties re getting stronger and the national parties like Congress and BJP getting derided and decimated is a worrisome factor in the Indian polity. This shows the National Parties do not have an agenda for the State elections nor leaders to take charge in these states. They depend on regional parties for support and align with them thereby losing their identity. The Congress and BJP would do well to assess what went wrong in UP and not bark over getting victories in small states as compensation. Induction of fresh blood is a must and ways to reach the youth and middle class to cast their vote must be the priority. Rahul Gandhi or Gadkari or Uma Bharathi may not make much difference so long as there is no difference in ideology or rule.
The congress in its present avatar has become a party of
fawning courtiers seeking salvation in dynastic aura and charisma
which have miserably failed to deliver electoral results. The
congressmen have been chanting the dhun of Rahul Gandhi as India's PM.
What he has achieved in UP is for all to see. In spite of the
electoral verdict in favour of SP, the fact remains that voters had
very little choice to vote for the kind of people they would have
wanted to vote for. WE need a thorough cleansing of the system. But
with greater participation of youth we can look forward to a better
political scenario in the next elections.
Sickening sychophancy and unlimited arrogance what makes the Congress party as opposed to the affable young Yadav. The Congress' inept and corrupt rule at the Centre is facilitated by the disarray in the Opposition ranks.With SP becoming incredibly strong and with the BSP still retaining its vote bank almost intact a come back for the Congress and BJP in the foreseeable future is next to impossible. These 2 parties should gird up their loins to face yet another electoral debacle in 2014. Despite its shortcomings only the BSP can pose a challenge to the SP and never ever the Congress and BJP
Can Rahul learn lessons and amend the AICC Constitution whereby an incumbant AICC President should have limited term (may be two term) and then he or she will have to wait for another 2 term to contest for the President's post. Let him bring true democracy in the 127 year old party which is boasting to be secular and democratic. Let the party survive even if individuals fall on the way side. This is the only thing I lke about the BJP which had several Presidents since its birth. Can Rahul show the courage to restructure his party in a truly democratic way...
The singular reason for the down fall of Congress in state after state is their culture of governance. For any thing and everything Congress netas in states have to go to High Command which we all know is just one person. When they fight the state elections, Congress does not project any leader as a possible CM- they have too many factions and wait for HC to decide after the results. It is time for Congress to go Regional and develop leaders in each state and stand by him/her. During the glory years of Congress, one could find National leaders in each state. Where are they now? The common voter is therefore prone to vote for a Regional Party who have a definte leader and no factions. Afterall voter seeks stability and leaders within the state to resolve their problems- they cannot afford to have people who would always look to New Delhi for every decision. Unless Congress changes its strategy, it can never comeback.
I don't think that UP people will do same(voting for SP) in National Elections 2014. The upcoming theory of 'regional parties are getting strong' can be applied only at state-level elections. In National elections, regional parties will do become weaker when compared with their Stat-level status.
SP's new ideologies and with the induction of fresh blood(likes of
Akhilesh Yadav) has given the patry a rebirth. Even after winning the
elaction with thmping majority, none of the SP member sounds rude,
rather they politely acknowleged the public support. Akhilesh in an
iterview to Times now said, they will not be wasting time in inquiry
against Mayawati's government or removing statues of elephant, their
sole purpose is to develop to the state's infrastucture.
The empirical fact tells clearly that both in 2007 and 2012, the Muslim vote bank and the Dalit vote bank, each with 80-90 seats, were intact in UP respectively with SP and BSP - their impact on the tilt was almost nil. These two were intact in 1991 also, when BJP, riding on the Ram Wave, got absolute majority (221 seats) and that says it all. Prior to 1991, there was no alternative for Muslims or Dalits to choose, so they stood by the Congress. Now, it is for anybody's guess as to who thinks out of the (vote-bank) box shedding narrow-focused prejudices and loyalties to keep Indian democracy vibrant!
Well, it turned out to be a decisive mandate in favour of the SP in UP. This will change the outcome of the 2014 general election when SP will call the shots as far as the third or fourth front is concerned. It would be pragmatic for SP to name young Akilesh as the CM to get rid of the past image and also to offer development oriented good governance which is the key to get people's confidence and a repeat performance. He can take lessons from Nitish and Modi (sanns his so-called Hindutva image) and put things in perspective right from the beginning. Good governance and development oriented programs without appeasement is the key. Akilesh should aim for retaining power after five years and also to give a good performance in the next Lok Sabha election. As for the Congress, it is bitter pill for Rahul. Though his intentions were clear, there was no party machinery in place. Further, the best bet for Congress is Priyanka.
Another history was made yesterday in UP when Samajwadi Party won
a astounding victory .With all paraphernalia, rhetoric and sometime very shrill personal campaign the so called YUVRAJ of Congress was not able to manage significant improvement over last election mandate.There are other variety of reason for Congress debacle,right from improper local leader in UP,lack of organisational structure,too much focus on star campaigner,no
clear cut policy guideline to the way they handled corruption plank.Congress can take some solace from people's mandate in Manipur and Uttarakhand but at the same time they should read graffiti on wall in UP,Goa.and Punjab.Now it is high time for Congress to go for introspection if they want to cut short their task in 2014 Lok Sabha election.Even the BSP has to shun its arrogance and feudal mentality like running UP administration as if it were their Jagir.BJP should search their soul before triumphalism .
this result is a serious blow to c0ngress and its policy. this also
send a message to Rahul gandhi that he has to work really hard to be
able to influence the thinking of voters. Akhilesh yadav showed the
way how to lead a party in election without making bollywood style
hungama as opposed to Rahul gandhi.in this election in u.p Priyanka
gandhi style is also defeated. this u.p result is a welcome sign for
indian politics because it shows that you really have to work hard in
mobilising people to vote for your party. the corrupt image of upa
government badly impact the results for congress. its time for
congress to think.
The election result in UP is very welcome. It shows people are not as gulliable as before. They voted out corruption and arrogance. Also it shows fair skin and a pretty face cant get vote. People are aware of the corruption at the cnetre and dont want that to be replecated in UP that could be the reason they voted out the most corrupt INC.
The voters seem to have proved that the mixed verdicts are inevitable in a multi religious and multi cultured society like India. If the same trend persists, the 2014 verdict too could be a mixed one compelling the political pandits to search for a best alternate government. Such a scenario would also lead to horse trading and other new political alliances. The olden days of a single party getting full majority seem to have gone.
One thing that comes out from the election results is that the media hyped Anna movement has little to do with voter behaviour even in the case of middle class voters.
The only role it can claim is that it helped in pushing the congress from the brink to the depth by adding to the negative PR unleashed against it.But the results of a corrupt regime winning almost a tie in Uttarakhand with its new clean CM tasting the defeat exposes the Anna movement.In UP too the main difference happened is the defeat of BSP and massive win of SP none of which were endorsed or targeted by Team Anna.Instead of wasting time on such hyped media managed movements newspapers should bring ground reality, issues and undercurrents to the people
The exit poll predictions have come true. SP will form a government with on its own. However, diminishing role of national parties is a worrying factor. Can SP become a party with a national outlook under the leadership of young Shri Akhilesh Yadav? It will be a blunder on the part of Congress to let go this opportunity of having a critical self examination of its future in the UP and national politics. BJP seems to have done slightly better but its leaders too will have to seriously introspect why their party has performed below expectations. People would watch with interest Shri Rahul Gandhi’s next move. Ms. Mayawati’s BSP has to blame itself for the poor show but self examination is not her way of doing things!
Why is the Anna factor not being considered or discussed by the media in the rout of the Congress ? Surely the campaign of the IAC team , in educating the voters about the corruption at the center by UPA2 and the UPAs failure to bring in a strong Lokpal bill has contributed to the decimation of the Congress.
Rahul Gandhi yet again failed to project himself as the Congress' main campaigner. The elections in UP and elsewhere has made the top congress leaders to revisit their plans and strategies for 2014 general elections. With Gujarat going to polls later this December and 5 states in 2013, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra must take an active role and project herself as the future leader as Rahul failed miserably in Bihar in 2010 and the just concluded mini general elections.
The rout of congress in the assembly election in UP has raised a serious question of winnability factor associated with RAHUL GANDHI as indian voters no longer fall prey to charisma sans pragmatism.
This Election raises many questions which need specialist analysis. Like, who were the additional 5% voters which resulted in record voter turnout in the history? Were they from the middle class? If yes, what prompted lazy middle class to come out and vote? Inflation or Annaji or both? Or were they youth, who is being awakened by media, Anna & social networks?
Also, does caste matters any more in our most backward state? Obviously Mandir issue was not central issue this time, so is UP society is looking for development?
Anyway, all these changes are welcome changes. Happy to see highest voter turnouts and strong anti-incumbency in UP.
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