Election days come and go. But the struggle of the electorate to elect a government which represents not just the “creamy layer” but all the people, based on the principles of economic, social, and environmental justice – that struggle invariably must continue. People, especially the youth, need to stay involved in the process by continuing to pay attention to all that is happening and hold their leaders accountable for the decisions they make. As united people we have the power to change. In each and every election, it’s our rights, our freedom, and our interests that we stamp on the ballot. The future of our country is essentially in the hands of the Indian voter who has cast his/her vote, presumably after much thought and deliberation. Historically the vote through secret ballot is the most powerful non-violent instrument ever devised by man to dismantle injustice and tyranny.
Accusations and name-calling have been rampant during the recent election campaign. Our public discourse today has reached its nadir, literally its gutter level. Nowhere during the elections any of the coalition parties campaigned and came forward to convince people why the nation must vote for them. Their war cry has been limited to either “do not vote for BJP” and Modi or “BJP hatao Desh Bachao”. The only thing that binds the opposition together today is their hate for Modi and in turn for BJP. Should a coalition govt come to power it will push with all its might to nail Modi and his rule. One can expect non-stop investigations against perceived corruption and wrong-doings of Modi and his government.
India’s lamentable social progress: India maybe touted as the fastest growing economy of the world. But it has failed miserably in the social sector, education, health care and family welfare, curbing price rise, environment protection, labour rights, social harmony, poverty eradication, water scarcity and farmer suicides/distress. India and Indonesia became independent nations at approximately the same time. At this time India’s social parameters in terms of literacy and health were much better than Indonesia.
Today it is the other way around. Evidence from around the world testifies and suggests to the proven linkage between investment in public education and national development, it is curious that India’s Pundits and Politicians have not been able to fix the knot together. Perhaps our greatest failure has been in primary education. Year after year the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) surveys have been warning that learning outcomes of young Indian children are abysmal.
The task of accelerating economic growth is urgent. This is not possible without finding solutions to the problems that confront the banking sector. There is ample scope for improving their performance within the framework of public ownership of banks (PSBs). It can be done. Non-performing assets (NPAs) at Commercial Banks presently amount to Rs 10.3 trillion which is a severe drain and drag on the economy.
It is evident that the BJP does not take manifestos seriously. In 2014 elections, it had released its manifesto after the first phase of voting was over. Even this time, around, the BJP manifesto appears as an afterthought, perhaps a hasty reaction to the Congress manifesto. On the other hand, the manifestos of the Communist parties are significant documents for their principled commitment to an alternative socio-economic path. Their forthrightness in taking the Sangh Parivar head on is exceptional. Historically, we have seen how such movements have compelled parties like the Congress to partially co-opt and accepting these demands. After casting his vote, Rahul Gandhi spoke about the Modi government who according to him ‘wasted India’s power and financial strength.’ Election 2019 was fought on key issues including ‘demonetisation’, ‘farmer problems’, GST (Gabbar Singh Tax), corruption in Rafale, and the failure of the Modi government to unearth the black money and enrich Indian citizen by Rs 15 lakh.
Will May 23, 2019 be a day of reckoning for India? Will BJP and PM Narendra Modi win a second term? Or will the nation see a rainbow coalition of politicians and their parties coming together to form a government? Our choice is currently stored as digital data in the EVM machines. The atmosphere is pregnant with expectations for a change in guard in the country. Shashi Tharoor says South India will play a key role in voting out the BJP and “overwhelmingly” back the Congress. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says the BJP is standing on a “foundation of lies which will be shaken from its very roots. Perhaps according to him the BJP is not aware of the alliance storm”, by the alliance partners. Former Indian air force officer Anil Kumar Kaushik says the Congress, unlike Narendra Modi, never politicised the military’s operations in the past. The Congress never took credit for several important army operations, such as liberation of Goa and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
UP has 80 parliamentary seats and is the road to reach Delhi. In 2014, BJP captured 73 seats and had the fortune to rule the largest democracy of the world. Was it just a windfall? The BJP has made a mess of its 5-year rule. Should the BJP return to power, the present situation of polarisation between the communities is bound to strike deeper roots. The 2019 polls will reflect the changed political scenario of the nation. In the heat and din of these elections it is commendable how the young CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in Begusarai lit up the sky with his zestful campaign.
(The writer is a social scientist and practising criminal lawyer).
