Wednesday, February 18, 2009

General Election 2009- Countdown begins PART I


Knock Knock... Elections are coming.The 15th General Election is just a couple of months away and its the perfect time to discuss some of the issues which hold the key to the victory this time.A few issues are coming on my mind and this is what makes this election far more complex than the previous ones.However if we have to weigh the issues maximum balance will be in favour of economy and national security.It seems that the Indian voters are gradually shifting their attention from petty emotional issues to mundane bread and butter issues which is why economy holds a pivotal role in determining the popular verdict this election.With global economic slowdown India too has been a prey to market crash.However the government has somehow managed the situation.Different factors have made the popular support steady for the present government despite global financial doldrums.The farmers' loan waiver, cut in fuel prices,new pay commission -all these have somehow managed the situation from going worse.However what remains a real challenge for congress is how the voters react to sky rocketting prices of daily goods.Despite lofty claims of the government that inflation has been brought back below 4.5%, the daily experience in the mandis and grocery stores is telling a different story.It would be interesting how Congress combats this crisis.
Another issue which is bothering us to a degree as never before is national security especially after 26/11.The country wide protests after the fiasco made us feel for a day or two that the government is not going to end its term.However congress has managed the situation brilliantly through what we call"cohesive diplomacy".The people after initial reactions understood it well that a war with Pakistan as suggested by BJP is not a pragmatic option at this moment as the last thing the world wants now is another war.Although how much the lofty promises of the government regarding national security will be kept that only time can tell, but for this moment it seems congress has managed the situation well and has been successful in turning the rage into sympathy after the PM underwent a bypass surgery.It seems that the opposition could not utilise the golden opportunity they got after the 26/11 attack to seal the fate of congress... (to be continued)

No comments: