The run-up to the Lok Sabha polls saw the political aspirations of parties large and small balloon into monstrous proportions. Everyone, Congress included, was keen to keep all options open. Possibly the only clear no-no was a Congress-BJP tie-up, all other alliances, pre-poll and post-poll, however ridiculous were a possibility. The consensus of expectations, exit polls and back of the envelope calculations all pointed to one thing, Indian National Congress emerging as the single largest party and the UPA ahead of the NDA but way too short of the magic number. The regional party bigwigs rubbed their hands in gleeful anticipation and prepared to bargain hard with the Congress leadership. The results were stunning to say the least. The Congress rejoiced crossing 200, UPA allies probably thanked the stars for the good sense that prevailed on them to stick with the Congress.
The Left was trounced properly with its traditional strongholds snubbing them pointedly. Tamil Nadu probably was the only reasonably decent showing for them and they have only the tie-up with the AIADMK to thank for that. It almost looked like it was an angry answer from the people to Karat’s arrogance. The so-called Fronts were silenced in a clear verdict.
The BJP was plainly bewildered at its dismal showing even in the Hindi belt – its traditional stronghold. It did not do as expected even in Vibrant Gujarat, which was claimed to be the flag bearer of BJP’s development agenda. Modi Magic failed utterly and possibly scared away a good share of voters. BJP hardly managed to maintain their seat share in these places. BJP in retrospection are probably regretting dragging Manmohan Singh’s perceived “weakness” up. His quiet composure prevailed and Advani lost valuable ground instead. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh fared no better. But BJP deserves praise for its graceful acceptance of defeat.
Congress swept away all the smaller states and with YSR delivering in Andhra, Mamta in WB(partly thanks to Left’s own follies), long-term ally DMK doing a decent showing, the numbers were impressive. The biggest upset probably was in UP. Congress’s gamble to go for it alone in the UP payed off big dividends as they nimbly sidestepped the Elephant and outsmarted the OBC-votebank politics of SP notching up an admirable 20 seats.
The overtures to Nitish Kumar were rendered unnecessary and Bihar’s tiny share of Congress MPs mercifully did not matter.
At the end of the day, Congress was sitting pretty with the UPA tally at 262. It was all set to call the shots. The regional heavyweights hoping to play kingmaker went scrambling to offer themselves up to go the last mile to 272. Amar Singh decided to play the we-helped-you-in-hour-of-need card. Congress is left debating whether to show their gratitude or stick to the minority vote-bank’s faith in UP that gave it a historic revival there. Lalu also doesn’t seem to be very welcome.
The numbers are admirable and Congress saw a renaissance in UP as well as held its ground in AP inspite of PRP and the other regional bigwigs. The result does indeed give the Congress a decisive victory, but it is essential to introspect as well.
There is no one single reason for the clear mandate in the Lok Sabha polls. Even Congress would agree on that point. Numerous factors across the length and breadth of the nation played a role. Regional issues were as important as the credentials of the man/woman projected as the PM candidate. Sonia’s dignified leadership, Manmohan’s sqeaky clean, scholarly image and Rahul’s charm that gave fresh hope to the cadres all worked together to a certain extent in gaining the national majority. But there is work to do if Congress wants to build upon this. Rahul is talking about striking the root of it all when he takes about democratizing the party, enthusing the youth, etc. In-fighting and factionalism rampant in the Congress at the state levels has mellowed down under a firm leadership at the centre but elimination is still a long way off. Congress has to thank its lucky stars for a good showing in some places. It was dissent against the rest of the pack rather than an endorsement of its candidates or governance that sent quite a few of its MPs to the Lok Sabha. Irrational aspirations of many a leader of the now non-existent PM Bazaar again gave an edge to the Congress. Congress will do well to thank Lady Luck for a few dollops of cream and work on strengthening itself up from the grassroots.
As for us citizens, (I refrained from aam aadmi to avoid misinterpretation) we can heave a sigh of relief. Mercifully, we have been spared of antics of cranky politicians and at the very least, a huge drain on the public exchequer before the 5-year term is up. One hopes good sense and good governance will prevail.
The Left was trounced properly with its traditional strongholds snubbing them pointedly. Tamil Nadu probably was the only reasonably decent showing for them and they have only the tie-up with the AIADMK to thank for that. It almost looked like it was an angry answer from the people to Karat’s arrogance. The so-called Fronts were silenced in a clear verdict.
The BJP was plainly bewildered at its dismal showing even in the Hindi belt – its traditional stronghold. It did not do as expected even in Vibrant Gujarat, which was claimed to be the flag bearer of BJP’s development agenda. Modi Magic failed utterly and possibly scared away a good share of voters. BJP hardly managed to maintain their seat share in these places. BJP in retrospection are probably regretting dragging Manmohan Singh’s perceived “weakness” up. His quiet composure prevailed and Advani lost valuable ground instead. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh fared no better. But BJP deserves praise for its graceful acceptance of defeat.
Congress swept away all the smaller states and with YSR delivering in Andhra, Mamta in WB(partly thanks to Left’s own follies), long-term ally DMK doing a decent showing, the numbers were impressive. The biggest upset probably was in UP. Congress’s gamble to go for it alone in the UP payed off big dividends as they nimbly sidestepped the Elephant and outsmarted the OBC-votebank politics of SP notching up an admirable 20 seats.
The overtures to Nitish Kumar were rendered unnecessary and Bihar’s tiny share of Congress MPs mercifully did not matter.
At the end of the day, Congress was sitting pretty with the UPA tally at 262. It was all set to call the shots. The regional heavyweights hoping to play kingmaker went scrambling to offer themselves up to go the last mile to 272. Amar Singh decided to play the we-helped-you-in-hour-of-need card. Congress is left debating whether to show their gratitude or stick to the minority vote-bank’s faith in UP that gave it a historic revival there. Lalu also doesn’t seem to be very welcome.
The numbers are admirable and Congress saw a renaissance in UP as well as held its ground in AP inspite of PRP and the other regional bigwigs. The result does indeed give the Congress a decisive victory, but it is essential to introspect as well.
There is no one single reason for the clear mandate in the Lok Sabha polls. Even Congress would agree on that point. Numerous factors across the length and breadth of the nation played a role. Regional issues were as important as the credentials of the man/woman projected as the PM candidate. Sonia’s dignified leadership, Manmohan’s sqeaky clean, scholarly image and Rahul’s charm that gave fresh hope to the cadres all worked together to a certain extent in gaining the national majority. But there is work to do if Congress wants to build upon this. Rahul is talking about striking the root of it all when he takes about democratizing the party, enthusing the youth, etc. In-fighting and factionalism rampant in the Congress at the state levels has mellowed down under a firm leadership at the centre but elimination is still a long way off. Congress has to thank its lucky stars for a good showing in some places. It was dissent against the rest of the pack rather than an endorsement of its candidates or governance that sent quite a few of its MPs to the Lok Sabha. Irrational aspirations of many a leader of the now non-existent PM Bazaar again gave an edge to the Congress. Congress will do well to thank Lady Luck for a few dollops of cream and work on strengthening itself up from the grassroots.
As for us citizens, (I refrained from aam aadmi to avoid misinterpretation) we can heave a sigh of relief. Mercifully, we have been spared of antics of cranky politicians and at the very least, a huge drain on the public exchequer before the 5-year term is up. One hopes good sense and good governance will prevail.
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