| Published on 14-01-2008 In National | | Viewed 5485 times | Written by N. Murugan IAS (Rtd) | | A victory for Indian democracy |
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Everyone has agreed on one basic fact, regarding the Gujarat election results, that they are truly a personal triumph of Mr Narendra Modi. Many had predicted it even before the announcement of the poll process. The outcome surely wouldn't have surprised those who have been closely observing the politics in that state.
This electoral success has also lead to many healthy signs. It has proved that
[a] personal integrity of a leader can attract the unanimous endorsement of the masses even in these times, [b] anti-incumbency factor needn't work to eliminate a ruling party on all occasions, [c] internal bickering in a political party need not affect the election results [d] minority support alone is not enough to win an election and [d] any amount of attractive promises like free television sets or food grains will not fool the masses.
Further, it has also been proved that an electoral victory is possible without conducting political processions, seven miles long, without cut-outs and massive serial lightings. This is a welcome development, because it throws some hope for the future success of honesty and integrity in public life in our democratic setup.
In the background of all these stand the sky high qualities of a single man, Narendra Modi. What are those characteristics in him that made this possible? They are:
The bachelor Chief minister, Modi lives in his house with three person; a cook and two peons. His habit is to take his simple food all alone in his house. If his cook is on leave one of the two peons cooks his simple food. In his office he has two personal assistants – these are not IAS officers – who discharge the chief minister Modi. They attend to his phone calls, particularly, to note who called and connecting them to the Chief Minister, if necessary, or noting down messages from them. They also fix up his tour programs and personal appointments and attend to other routing items of work. They do not have access to the residence of the Chief Minister.
Gujarat is the first amongst the most industrialised States in India. Its speedy progress has been achieved during the tenure of Mr Modi. Under his rule, local and foreign investments have seen geometric progression in this state. In spite of this, none of those who opposed him in the recent polls could make a single accusation of graft – because there was none.
Companies seeking to start an industry in Gujarat would be granted appointments with Mr Modi after relevant applications have been processed through the concerned departments. Subsequent to a meeting with the CM in the presence of his bureaucrats, fast-track clearances are accorded in a routine manner.
Before the elections, a journalist posed a question to Mr. Modi: “What are the achievements of your government?” To this Mr. Modi answers, “Instead of asking this question to me, wouldn't it be better if you asked the same thing to the common public, experts in political, economic and industrial fields?".
The correspondent queried professors in economics. Their replies brought forth three points enumerated below:
* Out of the 97 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government and industrial houses, 89 have already borne fruit.
* The remaining eight are in various stages of completion.
* Water and electricity are available in the rural areas without impediments.
Mr Modi never seeks personal praise.
When he was to be sworn-in in 2002, Modi's mother attended the function, but the CM simply ignored her. She watched the ceremony like the rest of the members of the common public, seated on a chair provided by someone who recognised her and placed in a corner. This incident is particularly relevant to be noted by those in a State [read Tamil Nadu] wherein the CM's near and dear occupies a special dais to "inspect" processions of the party-faithfuls.
Such things lead to the virtual absence of anti-incumbency factor.
Significantly, even in states like Tamil Nadu, it is true that anti-incumbency acts and those in power have been defeated, but it is because all those in power just indulge in corruption and irregularities.
Developmental plans' proper fructification and absence of freebies during electioneering are two other aspects of Modi's triumph. That the Congress lost despite promising free colour television sets during the run-up to the elections is worth remembering here.
Politicians in Tamil Nadu are of the firm belief that attempting to pander to the wishes of the highest denomination of the masses by announcing subsidies and indefinite procrastination in matters concerning unpopular decisions are a sure path to victory. On the contrary, despite bringing farmers who defaulted in electricity payments to book, Mr Modi won in Gujarat.
In several States, many in power believe that issuing election tickets to those who are corrupt because they represent a 'powerful' caste or two and thus ensuring victory. This has been proved ingenuine.
Upon Modi's personal intervention, 47 ruling party legislators were denied tickets for bad performance and complaints. These tickets were in turn distributed amongst more deserving candidates by the BJP. Of those 33 emerged triumphant.
In a word, antagonising seniors who were either corrupt or dullards and ignoring caste-based votes were welcome highlights of Modi's return to power – which may sound the death-knell to such practices.
And this was not all.
Newspapers, television channels, central ministers and self-side goals by a few bigwigs within his own party assailed Mr Modi simultaneously.
One can only hold Mr Modi who overcame all these impediments with aplomb in awe.
A few in the know aver that the real reasons for all this are that Mr Modi understood the ground reality and comprehended the mindset of his people.
Another important fact of these election results is that the people have understood the real import of terms like secularism and phrases like mollycoddling of minorities in the name of their security.
When asked during the elections as to what were his plans for the development of the minorities in Gujarat, Mr Modi replied, "My plans are for the development of the entire State in which minority and majority sections are included anyway."
Everyone concerned knows that the minorities are being looked after properly in all states by India.
Political observers have found that in the name of getting the endorsement of the minorities, when politicians pander to their whims and fancies, the majority would take a firm stand.
On that note alone, Mr Narendra Modi's victory is a victory for Indian democracy. |
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