30 Responses to “All ready to vote for change - but for whom and what?”

1. 

   jayadeep_k  on April 7th, 2009

   This is a great blog & commentary- goes back to the fundamental question that I ask myself- what am I voting for-
   Firstly, I am a strong believer of hte need for change in this diverse and great country. no longer am I satisfied with a “plebians-defend-themselves” attitude that the incumbent UPA has dished out. On the same vein- I look at the state govt. and wonder about the capabilities of my BJP run state CM- Yediyurappa who supposedly comes with a clean chit, works more than 16 hours a day and has a reputation where he is only as tarnished as his white sparkling clean and white linen shirt is. The guy goes around making statements that “I will not allow the Pub culture in bangalore to grow”. or the outrageously pathetic stoicism he showed when women in the state were getting beat up, or when churches were being burnt. So much for my vision of a BJP led front leading my wonderful country.
   Which then brings us to a circus called the Third Front. Only difference in this Circus verus a traditional one being, the circus called hte Third front- has many an act carried out by extinct animal. As much as the comic factor appeals- I really don’t want to see a sixth of hte worlds population held to ransom for 5 years by dodos and other pre-historic creatures.

   I believe that this elections will be the change wherein the youth will start to voice its opinion. i hope and pray that this has to be a sustained movement, where the younger generation needs to get involved, and get momentum going- year after year, term after term. We need the urban votes. We need the yuppie vite. We need the mandate of the youth to be heard.
   The only prayer on my lips currently is that this movement is not stalled thanks to another impotent political class coming into power- thus debilitating and weakening the theory that “If you speak up, the urban, educated vote will come.

   There is no doubt in my mmind that voting is easy, when the right questions are asked.

   There is no doubt in my mind that the future of my country lies with the young and forward thinking class. And to that effect- how I’d love to see young and forward thinking MPs taking up ownership and accountability, bringing energy into a system that much needs it. How I wish I could cast my ballot for someone I had confidence in, a party that like the good old days- stood, lived and died by its manifesto, and not governed by coalition politics.

2. 

   hs satyanarayana  on April 7th, 2009

   Dear Sri Rajeev,

   It is not just a referendum about the incumbent govt and it is not just about bringing the change. I am from a village about 220 km from here. My parents left this tranquil, green, beautiful, agricultural village in 1958 to get us the education and life. Today, the same village is dry and nearly arid, the Cauvery river which flows by has nearly seen it’s bottom, the trickle of water she carries is heavily loaded with mud and impurities because of sand mining upstream, the villagers do not have sufficient and proper work and are lazing their time and this is today’s life there, after 50 years of “progress” resulting from six decades of freedom.
   We have had our society divided on the bases of caste, creed, religion, region etc. The down trodden could well have been brought up by giving all types of concession and care rather than building up a “quota” system to deprive those who are more qualified for such concessions and benefits due to the acute economic backwardness. The nearly fifty five families who made their modest living realised that they would not progress in life unless they left their country and are doing extremely well elsewhere. thus denying their parental village of the blessings of hard work of such brilliant lot.

   It took twenty five years for out justice system to come out with a finding that no body was responsible for the 1984 riots.

   The system of bribery which was started by the leadership with the arms purchase of arms during VKK’s time has found such cancerous roots that the only way this country can be saved is by absolute destruction and re-birthing a new educated, mature, patriot, dedicated, selfless community without any caste affiliation who can bring in a Rama rajya through Krishna’s futuristic thinking. Change we want, change we need; but we have “raddi” on our plate for meals. We can’t eat.

3. 

   shashidhar  on April 7th, 2009

   Dear Sir,

   Its rather a high time for all the parties in promising to people.But we all know the fact that none of them have kept there promises.General elections are at the door steps, seeing past experience we all think of boycotting elections , but voting is the only power which we are having so that we can change. So while voting should we see the person or his party

4. 

   Som  on April 7th, 2009

   Dear Rajeev,

   Here is what I posted on the Black Badge group on Facebook. Thought of sharing with your blog-readers:-

   Team:

   It has been a while since I wrote to all of you.

   As you may be aware, a local anti-terror unit is now scheduled to be set up in the city of Mumbai and clear-cut plans are being implemented. This position has been confirmed by both the Union Government and the Government of Maharashtra.

   At this stage, I think we have a new nationwide challenge to deal with and it is time to move on. We may stop wear the black badges in protest, and channelize our energies into something new. As you are aware, elections to the Lok Sabha are around the corner and the nation is on the verge of one of the most non-ideological elections ever in independent India - of course, this statement would be right only if one assumes that the lust for power is not an ideology by itself.

   Neither national party - the BJP or the Congress - is likely to win even 180 seats in its own steam - the level at which a coalition government may be formed. Indeed, if not in these elections, certainly in the next elections, there is even a likelihood of both the Congress and the BJP not collectively winning 200 seats. Regional parties, narrow single-digit and small double-digit seat-winning parties will rule the roost. The only way in which such parties can survive, and indeed thrive, is poor vote turnout in elections.

   In his book The Parliamentary System, Mr. Arun Shourie has collated some excellent statistics to underline this point. In the last Lok Sabha elections, 230 political parties fielded candidates and 39 parties made it to Parliament. In terms of percentage of votes cast, 99% of the MPs (537 MPs out of 543) won seats with less than 50% of the electorate in their favour.

   Even if one were to analyse only in terms of the votes actually cast, 60% of the MPs won with less than 50% of the votes cast.

   All of this is possible and will continue to be possible only if you stay home or plan a long-weekend holiday around the elections. If every one of us got out to vote and made it our mission to make five more persons step out and vote, we can slowly make a difference. Every people get the government they deserve. If we believe we deserve better, we ought to step out and vote.

   Please go through the schedule of elections released by the Election Commission of India (http://eci.nic.in/press/current/pn020309.pdf). Please block your diaries in advance for polling day in your constituency. Remember, this is one small opportunity to step out and make a difference.

   I will separately send out a message on the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct. I will set out a detailed message on what action we can take as citizens under that document in a separate mail.

   For now, please mark your diaries and make a note of the polling day in your constituency.

   Best regards,

   Somasekhar

5. 

   Vijay  on April 7th, 2009

   Dear Mr.Chandrashekar,
   Firstly, it is good that you have opened up a communication channel with the people through this blog. Thanks.
   With regard to your post, it is interesting that the environment being built by the two major political parties in the run up to elections (I will exclude the third front from this since I don’t even know how many parties constitute it, let alone their ideology) is akin to what happened in the US elections. While Democrats focused on the economy, the Republicans tried the FUD strategy (Fear Uncertainty Doubt) where terrorism, Iraq, Al-Queda where used as tools to generate insecurity. Here we have the BJP trying the FUD approach. Frankly, whether it is the NDA or the UPA at the helm, I am equally comfortable (or afraid) of the security situation. What is more disturbing is the blatant attack on our way of life in the name of culture from our own people and that scares me stiff. I am an undecided voter currently with a bias towards UPA. I shall wait to see how much more mud slinging each party gets into and then decide which is the lesser evil.
   (By the way, I am not pro or anti any party. I voted for BJP in the recent state elections)

6. 

   Kenny Chauahan  on April 7th, 2009

   Rajiv ji,
   I am fighting with the same question you address in this article.
   I think, the status-quo will mean the things will be the same, no improvement.
   But when you vote for a change, you vote for a positive agenda, an agenda of governance. A blueprint of the good things to come for the people of India.
   The only party out there with a definite plan of action - I mean it, a definite plan of action - seems to the BJP under Advani ji, despite the Varun Gandhi abberation.
   The IT Vision document is the best thing I have heard in years, since the Rajiv Gandhi days of India marching into the 21st century.
   I am excited at the idea of ‘Transforming India 360 Degrees.’
   We either listen to the self-seeking press (I do not believe them) or to the unscrupulous and the self-richening politicians.
   I think your blog will be a welcome relief. The tone and content of this write up suggests that you are an upright, principled man, worthy of being believed. You have the right ingredients in your brain, otherwise this write up could not have materialised.
   The name of your blog is very interesting! Plain, ‘Rajeev’s Blog’. That’s why I clicked and stumbled on it!! And then I wrote this, my first message to any MP in India!!!
   I am a Farmer from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
   Warm Regards.

7. 

   bluespriite  on April 8th, 2009

   But what about when none of the candidates can answer/ want to answer? The vote still goes to the undeserving.

8. 

   Prabhjot  on April 8th, 2009

   I think that after every 5 years the government should go under transformation so that people can get max. benefits, as the new party will announce different new schemes(in national interest), showing that the nation under their term is the best.
   Jai Hind.

9. 

   inezrufus  on April 8th, 2009

   Dear Rajeev,
   As a responsible citizen, I need to vote. The question is for whom? You have broken it down as much as you can, but it still leaves me in a quandary.

   When I look at the prospective candidates through the media, I see before me a bunch of politicians who show their faces as the elections draw near and then go off the radar after that. The only time they reappear is to pull the opposition down on TV etc.

   So, who SHOULD I vote for? Should it be Nafisa Ali, Raj/Uddhav Thackeray, Chandrababu Naidu, Amar Singh, Lalu Prasad?…The list is endless. What do I know about their capabilities to steer a nation like ours into good governance?

   With the exception of only 2 that I have listed, what I have seen (again, through the media) are candidates whose sole aim is to further their own agendas.

   I would like to see candidates with a good education, intelligent, articulate (beyond name bashing), able to stand up in a global scenario as a representative of my country and who has the country’s interest at heart. So far, I have seen none of this.

   Can you imagine Lalu as our PM in a global forum? Or even LK Advani? He may be a good lawyer , but what else is he other than a flame-’fanner’ of communalism?

   Our present PM is a good man, but ineffective. So where can I find a composite that is worthy of my vote?

10. 

    Rajeev  on April 8th, 2009

    Dear Vijay: Thanks for replying..My blog is aimed at trying to put the issues as I see it…The parallels with the US may not be the rights one to make for India. Unlike the US,with its very professional police and Homeland security institutions, a transparent enquiry into 9/11 with the 9/11 commission which allowed them to make changes and improvements in strategy, organization and other areas to tackle terror and most importantly an enemy who was many miles from their homeland - We are in a very different situation - our Intelligence and Policing institutions have been corroded into near ineffectivness (see the CBI as an example), our Armed forces who are the first line of defence are seeing the unseemly sight of veterans returning their medals, no enquiry post 26/11 and so one really knows what went wrong and has it been fixed?, and an enemy who is just a hop skip away from our border and in some cases already inflitrated inside our borders, cities . So sometimes regardless of who asks the question , the question may be worth pondering - I do agree that terrorism and security has been so politicized over the last many years that even a reasonable discussion/assessment of our security situation is impossible without people alluding political motives.. More and more of us should engage in a real discussion on why we are so vulnerable today and who can make us feel more confident and secure? Theres a very critical need for this .. keep writing in.. thanks

11. 

    Rajeev  on April 8th, 2009

    kenny - thanks for writing in..im happy that im the first MP that you are interacting with…i am pretty confident that there are more and more legislators that are going online and plugging in..!

12. 

    Anshul Tewari  on April 8th, 2009

    Hi Rajeev,

    I am Anshul Tewari and I got to know about your blog from the indiblogger network where we added each other in our blog networks.

    I am currently studying Journalism and as you must be aware that I am running a blog, an online platform, http://www.youthkiawaaz.com, to persuade the youth to rebuild India by discussing issues of national importance.

    I went through your article and found it motivating. You have rightly quoted that before voting, we must ask the right question.

    If we have a quick look at the past scenario and the current scenario of Indian politics, I need not say that the current phase is one of the most unethical phase. Although I do a see a large ray of hope, the youth, but the question here is that most of us are not into blogging, are not net savvy, are not accessing internet for analysis of the political parties, and many of us don’t even have internet.

    Blogging is an emerging trend but has not yet been picked up by the youth, the way television was picked up 30 years ago.

    We can surely ask each and every one to vote, through such multimedia mediums but not reach everyone. Now, the point I am trying to make is that most of the Youth (major part being the rural or the ones with no access to correct info) are persuaded by the political parties to vote for them, either by lures, or by way of propaganda. They have less or no knowledge of their past works of development (which should be the major factor to determine a person’s vote), they do not know what the implications of voting the wrong one in would be, they are persuaded by peers, relatives, family members, etc. and end up voting the wrong person in.

    And most of them even do not vote (but still crib). Although the voter rate would be much higher this time, but how do we ensure that the right person gets the vote.

    I am a firm believer of spreading awareness, but till what level? Till where can we go? What maximum can we do?

    Rajeev, I am hopeful but at the same time a little out of inspiration an expectation. I wonder whether the youth will do any wonders?

    26/11 and more such incidents have brought in the fire, but most of it is emotional and the outrage is certainly not based on logical reasoning. What good would the votes be, if they are an outcome of emotions? One needs to analyse a political parties works, achievements and failures.

    If there have been 26/11 at the time of UPA, there has been Godhra massacre at the time of NDA. The list is long for both, but what must matter the most is that India being a pluralistic society, will a political party at power be able to walk all sects, communities, castes or religions together?
    Will a political party be able to concentrate on the grass root level issues, which have a long list?
    Will a political party be able to work without having a fix, if 26/11 re occurs?

    The list of the questions are long…. How will we reach out to everyone, and ask them to be unbiased and vote?

13. 

    Madhu  on April 8th, 2009

    Dear Rajeev,

    I understand as a citizen it is our prime responsibilities to vote. But meantime, looking at political and social circumstances in the country it is difficult to say that we are living in democracy. I would like to vote a for a party with strong top down leader ship. The top leadership should have committment to abolish corruption in the goverment (politicians as well as the goverment workers). Some of the Govt policies even promote corruption if we look at it closely. We need a govt who understand that the we are a big county and we need to build a system to serve such big county. Also one more factor is India is blessed with most valuable natural resouce on the earth i.e., its population. This resource is its very raw form. It needs to be refined to make it valuable. I believe education is the means to do that (Education does not mean literacy or, get a degree and get a job kind of education). Education which make a human being aware of the society, their rights and responsibilities toward society. I would like to vote for a party, which has strong committment for edutcating people for the value of it. Who do you think I should vote for.

    Thanks for opening up the communication.

14. 

    Armin Pardiwala  on April 8th, 2009

    Dear Mr. Chandrashekhar,

    THe analysis that you have made in your blog is quite logical. But it pertains to only urban voters. India that we see in cities and towns is very different from rural India. I was born and brought up in a small town in Gujarat (which is one of the developed states in India), but till today there are villages nearby my native town which do not have schools. Most of the villages have been electricfied recently but there is no electricity supply for days together. There is no proper supply of drinking water . People are still uneducated. From whatever I have travelled around the country or read in newspapers and magazines the conditions of villages in other parts of our country is no different. Infact Gujarat villages are better than other parts of the country.
    No political party has done any good for Indian villages. The main reason is the choice of local candidates to represent such villages in the Parliament and the state assembly. Most of the candidates are not professionally qualified and enter politics for their own gains. Though the centre or state govt may formulate various schemes and policies for rural India, the implementation is not done in a rightful manner and the net result is that the advantages of such schemes are not enjoyed by the rightful beneficiaries.

    For India to be shining we need to develop our villages. For that we need to have sincere and hardworking representatives of the people, who are willing to work for the people and not for their own ulterior motives. A common Indian villager will not think about the broader issues affecting the country before casting his vote,for him his survival is the most important issue.Unfortunately not a single political parties has made a remarkable contribution for the welfare and empowerment of our villages. Poverty and lack of development is the biggest enemy of India. Rural India votes differently from urban India, it votes by emotion or fear and not logic. We need people who can help rural India to be more logical and vote fearlessly. We need to have a drive to educate rural India and make it realise the value of their vote. For India to change, we need to change the villages.

15. 

    Rajeev  on April 9th, 2009

    Armin: I accept your point that my views are more urban focussed ..and thats because I was responding to questions put to me by some young first time voters in Bangalore recently.! I accept completely that our economic architecture must be an inclusive economic growth one..and I frankly think thats where we have gone wrong in the last 5 years..The last five years saw us having an unprecedented opportunity in the back of this global expansion and liquidity flows to redo our economic architecture.. but while the focus has been on the stock market and market capitalization of companies etc, the focus hasnt been on creating opportunities in the rural bharat! There is much talk about NREGA and other public spending programs in Rural India - but as we all know Government spending is corrupt ..the more the Government spends the more corruption and leakage thats created..the focus should have been and should be on creating opportunities and economic opportunities - this means a relook at the agricultural and rural economy completely..so far the governments interventions in terms of economic opportunities have been to tinker with the Support price for purchase of agricultural commodities.. the whole approach thus far smacks of handouts and SOPS.. rural India and rural indians dont want to be and should not be seen as a dependence/handout economy. In the 1960s, President Johnson of the US created something called the Office of Opportunity - which is what we need, aimed at the rural and urban poor economies and citizens..!

16. 

    Rajeev  on April 9th, 2009

    Madhu: I cant tell you who to vote for..But I suggest you ask yourself the questions that I posed in and pick the Party/leader who comes ‘closest’ to being the right answer..One of the realities is that there is no such thing as a perfect party or a perfect leader..But if you have chosen change in Delhi and accountability of government as your choice, then pick the leader from amongst the others who comes closest to your answers and expectations of the future of our India! I can share one thing with you, I am very clear about the need to hold the current government accountable and therefore I feel change in Delhi is a must. Governments and Politicians must realize that ‘we the people’ will not reelect them simply because they try and convince us theres no other choice! If that happens then the whole principle of accountability and performance of governments will stand demolished.! Politicians and governments must fear the peoples power to analyze and pass judgement (just as criminals or people on trial fear judges. Criminals and accused in crimes cant take a defence of I am not as bad a criminal as the other man so let me go!).. Go ahead and make your choice of a new leader. I am sure you will do just fine as long as you ask the questions! Good luck and all the best

17. 

    Rajeev  on April 9th, 2009

    Anshul: I agree that getting the youth out to vote and vote based on the right issues - is the most difficult thing..there are obviously many reasons for it as I see it..Urban youth of India while being very opionated about many issues have not been motivated, encouraged to understand /read /become aware of some of the bigger issues facing our nation..then theres the issue of being disconnected and apathetic to politics and politicians..this is clearly the fault of politicians and political parties of not reaching out to them..Unless one of the political parties or leaders takes a conscious deliberate effort at engaging the young and put forward a vision of India that excites them and motivates them, the youth are bound to sit on the sidelines and whine, grumble and crib! as do a lot of urban civil society…
    You make a good point about all political parties having things in their history and conduct to be ashamed about ! 1984 Sikh Riots, 2002 Godhra, Riots in so many states etc.. Thats why this debate must focus on the future , because if we keep going back to the past to extrapolate the future - we will never make a movement forward…Thats why its important to ask the political leaders about what their vision for India of tomorrow! and take our decisions based on that! - Ask these questions that I suggested because those are the questions that relate to the future of our country ! and the answers to that and that alone should decide our vote ! All the best in your efforts

18. 

    Prashant  on April 9th, 2009

    In a perfect world, whatever politicians would promise before the elections would be fulfilled after being elected and the very fact that they have been fulfilled the promises would ensure their victory in future elections.

    Unfortunately this is not the case and that is why we see political parties promising more then they can ever dream to deliver and then making their buck and moving out.

    The Mumbai terror attack as you pointed out could be blamed on Congress but can other party ensure that this does not happen again… sure they can “promise” but can they give a guarantee?

    Just because Mr. Advani can lift a set of 2 pound dumbles, does not make him a youth icon. Look at Varun Gandhi, trying to make a mark with hate speeches.

    I do NOT support any party as I feel non of the party is worth their weight. If they were, elections would have been between the good and the better party and not the worse and the worst.

19. 

    Raj  on April 9th, 2009

    Mr Rajeev, I request you to get the facts right. The NREGA has made a huge difference to the rural economy. The reason why India is not feeling the effects of global recession is because the rural markets are thriving. Simply lambasting all government spending as corruption is wrong. NREGA, indeed, was a good start, and it is for the state governments and the next Central government to take it forward.

    The last five years has been comparatively better than the NDA misrule due to many reasons. It was a government that focuused on development, economy, and the rural markets. A new era of cooperation opened between India and US, and others. The Pokhran blast alienated India from the rest of world and it was the UPA who turned things around.

    Moreover, the ruling party did not try to divide the people of this country along communal and religious lines. The UPA, unlike the NDA, did not try to resurrect the past and crucify the innocents of today, but tried to grab opportunities for the future. A majority of the Hindus do not want innocents to be punished for no crime of theirs, and are against violence and force practised by the sangh parivar. Incidents at Mangalore and Bangalore prove that the BJP is not the right alternative for the Congress. I am sure that the voters will not repeat the mistake they made in the late 90s.

20. 

    Dr.G.Srinivasan  on April 9th, 2009

    I have a thing to say about the much touted democracy we live in. If we turn outwards an look India was rated as one of the flawed democracies. This is because the Indian voter has nothing more to do than to vote for somebody. It is not a referendum at all. Because republics mainly india do not believe in referendum(s). The constitution before India was declared a republic was approved by 300 elected representatives elected during British regime!!!!!! Since then the organs of democracy the executive the legislature and the judiciary all had been brought under AICC chairperson add to that the office of the PM , the office of the President the office of the CEC and the office of CBI also. Probably some chotta is left. Again to be called a democracy the PM should be from one among those who had already contested and won an election as MP. This was twisted and made into an Appointed PM. Which democracy in the world allows an unelected person to walk in — that too by backdoor and remain there for a whole term!!!!! Then why are we conducting elections? Why did Nehru , Indira Gandhi , Rajeev all fight elections and came and sat on this chair? is it not an insult to the chair and the peoples mandate and above all the constitution which was imposed on the people? Now no doubt India was rated as a flawed democracy!!!!!
    http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090090025

21. 

    Rajeev  on April 9th, 2009

    Dear Raj: I dont intend to get into an argument on who was better NDA or UPA..thats the call that each of us have to take.. I am only advocating that we take these decisions with a clear head and as a result of asking the right questions and getting the right answers! The best way to see the performance of NDA vs UPA is to look at the numbers and i suspect if your decision was based on numbers and facts your views could change!

    I do not oppose the NREGA. I support a social security net like this for both rural India, and urban India. Unfortunately the following are the real structural issues of NREGA, even if its steeped and designed with good intentions - As the CAG (Auditor General) has repeatedly pointed out and most of us know , that public spending programs like NREGA and 900+ other programs administered by the Government of India are notoriously leaky and fuel middlemen and corruption - its not the fault of the program or the intentions, its the way politicians run these programs with willing bureacrats. Its precisely for this reason that Rajiv Gandhi in the late 80s famously said “out of every ruppee govt spends, only 15 paise reaches the target person”.. secondly, such heavy spending without clear outcomes is like shooting in the dark and hoping something gets hit… thirdly and most importantly such heavy spending depends heavily on a growing economy with buoyant government revenues ..if the revenues drop (as they have this year and will continue the next few years) these programs run into trouble..

    On the last point you raise about communal division - Let me give you my views on this. On this issue, there are no innocents amongst our political parties - They may pretend to be many things but the Cong has 1984 atrocities to apologize for, Meerut, Bhagalpur, the BJP its Godhra and other parties their own basket of atrocities and riots - all of which have cost innocent lives ! Thanks for writing in..

22. 

    Anshul Tewari  on April 9th, 2009

    Thanks Rajeev. I appreciate it.

23. 

    Prashant  on April 10th, 2009

    I think Dr.G.Srinivasan has raised a very good issue. We are NOT voting for the PM directly but for the party who then decided they would make the PM which we has citizens have no control over. This is a flawed in itself.

24. 

    Prashanth  on April 10th, 2009

    Dear Rajeev,

    Here’s what I was thinking could make sense in terms of a manifesto for any political party..

    Under current scenario, we need bold initiatives of the “strategic” variety as listed below.. these are only thoughts but can bring in drastic changes in general public’s lives..

    Just thought sharing with you..

    • 5 fold increase in judges and courts to clear all backlog within 1 year, and to lay the foundation for rule of law. Courts to sit in 2 shifts to overcome sort-term shortage of infrastructure. Judges retirement age to be increased to 85, subject to good health. Retired judges to be recalled to overcome shortage of judges. Chief Justice of India salary and status to be at par with the highest public functionary in the country.

    *** BJP ruled Gujarat has this setup of evening courts, this is helping a lot of general public

    • Bring back the loot stashed away in tax havens. The funds so brought in will repay the country’s debt, clear the fiscal deficit, forgive all loans of farmers holding less than 5 acres of irrigated and 20 acres of non-irrigated lands; forgive all loans to marginal industries, like weavers, cobblers, lathes, etc. The funds will be employed to quadruple power generation in 10 years, repair and enlarge the road, rail, ports and airports network; set-up in partnership with NGO’s functional schools in each village; set up in partnership with private enterprise at least 2 additional universities in each state; set up in partnership with private enterprise at least 1 additional hospital in each district.
    • E-governance in all respects of governance within 2 years.
    • Reforms in administration by appropriate- sizing and appropriate accountability. Salary increases to government employees only against measurable performance and set standards, say, upon improvement of every 5 notches of ratings by World watch, Transparency International, etc.
    • Uniform civil code. One country, one people, one law. Any political party opposing this to be disqualified. Any state discriminating against residents of other states in matters like owning land, or to settle there, etc. to have bar on its residents to same in other states.
    • No employment / promotion to government employee having more than 2 children.
    • All political parties to field at least 40% candidates having at least a Bachelor degree from a “good” university + at least 5 years experience in a “good” private sector organization.
    • Persons with charge-sheets against them which attract punishment of 3 years or more to be illegible for election.
    • Compulsory death for terrorists, murderers, and rapists.
    • Law of Torts to be made potent, especially against the State and its agents.
    • 50,000 check dams and water-harvesting structures to be built around the country within the first 3 years to give employment to weaker sections, to prevent God’s gift of water from running away underutilized to sea, and to provide immediate and low-cost irrigation solutions to farmers.
    • Army to start a Land Army of youth to impart employable skills, to take over reforestation of waste lands, and to build check dams.
    • No PM to have more than 2 terms. Life of parliament to be reduced back to 4 years.
    • Salary and perks of an MP to not exceed 10 times the average per capita income.
    • Non-strategic PSUs like hotels, Tourist Information, state emporia, etc. to be fully privatized.

    Your thoughts and comments please..

25. 

    zenbaba  on April 12th, 2009

    Hi Rajeev, what lovely ideas you have thrown up, but are they workable? While we also laud the efforts of independent candidates like Mallika Sarabai, Gopi Nath etc, the point is they have the financial resources to be seen, to be heard, and to be reported - by both section of media. Can an ordinary person contest these election? No.There are those brave souls who do try but end up loosing their deposit too.

    The main question is “is our parliament really independent?’ Independent from the clutches of the gangsters, landgrabbers, alleged murderers, religious fanatics, money power, pledged to industrialist etc etc? No. No sir, our parliament can never be independent. There are lobbies within lobbies and more lobbies. Can we do away with such majority in our Lower House. I have my doubts. Today elections are not won on basis of what you did for your constituency, but on the back of money, bullet, vendetta and threats.

    Sir, you are a representative in the Upper House. Pray tell me, barring a dozen odd MP’s, who are these supposedly ‘august elders’ doing there and for what?. One hardly ever hears them speak on any subject, shouldnt the upper house be dissolved? Simply let the President appoint 50 civilised members of the society to Lok Sabha instead. Amend the constitution if need be.

    Democracy and secularism ? Excuse me sir, but these commodities are only listed in the Indian Wholesale Market- they are not available. This is the biggest joke on us poor Indians. You abuse me, people cheer- I abuse you, i go to jail. Some democracy this!

    Yes we Indians are secular, not because of the Government but inspite of them. But for the politicians, there would be no communal riots in the country. We Indians are generally very peace loving souls- but the politico’s have an agenda of their own. they love instigating people against each other. Please tell me in the communal riots since independence to Godhra, HOW MANY POLITICIANS WERE KILLED ? NONE.

    Coming to the political manifestoes of various parties. Let the manifetoes be accompanied by an affidavit by the Party president giving monthly schedules by which their promises would be fulfilled. Any failure, and they have to quit their seat in Parliament, resign from the party and take permanent sanyaas from politics. If there is a criminal case pending against any candidate, firstly they should not be allowed to contest ( …lol, this will disqualify almost 70% of the candidates)failing which they should not be given any portfolios until they have been absolved of the charges.

    What does an enraged citizen do, when his woes are not being addressed. He has the right to throw his shoes, chappals or even brooms. If this is the only language they understand, so be it. Please let us not talk about our culture, I have met some of the most uncouth, uncultured with the foulest vocabulary gentlemen, in the Pink Circular Building at New Delhi.

26. 

    Stingz  on April 13th, 2009

    Interesting debate!
    but i presume it will stay as a constant debate for years to come. This country needs a change not only in the people who run it, but the system itself! Show me one person who does not manipulate his powers for someone related to him. What this country needs is patriotism and willingness to change and that is never going to happen, coz the existing people would not want to give up the only profession they know. They invest 50 lakhs and swindle 50 crores. declare that politicians will have to donate their wealth and will not be given money, but they will be given a life with retirement benefits, none would want that… everyone wants quick money and these guys can sell their own mom for their greed. (sorry if I am being rude) , But independence is still not there in this country. if we had somethin like that we would have created our nation, we wouldnt have carried forwarded the english way of ruling the country and call it democracy. If the caste system was removed during that time, we wouldnt be facing communal votes. If we need the country to stand united, a greater threat is required to come and by the looks of it, the politicians seem to have become the one who are at war with the people. The more unemployment the more the crime rate and the entire system collapses, just like the share markets, but still the big bosses (politicians) dont lose anything. coz itz a blunt note that everyone knows that politicians and high seated govt officials have swindled this country. ( the daily news abt lok ayukta raids are a proof to it ..) but nothing changes.. does it??!!

27. 

    Dr.G.Srinivasan  on April 14th, 2009

    Lok Sabha elections are always a referendum on the incumbent Central Government, in this case in 2009, the Manmohan Singh government! Similarly State elections are a referendum on the performance of the State government! Therefore the question to ask yourself before you vote in the coming days is – Are you happy with the performance of the Manmohan Singh Government over its term or do you want Change?

    For the type of constitutional awareness we have– the republican form of Westminster does not entertain any form of referendum — the writing is on the wall once you vote you have lost everything till the next elections. For sixty years there was no referendum conducted on any important issue. That republics should not conduct referendums is a myth. Even democracies which are much older than India and mature ones are resorting to referendum as a means of going back to people and ask their opinion.
    This republic day getting bored with the celebrations I switched the channel — voila!!! BBC had a report on the referendum on the Bolivian constitution. I was happy for Bolivia even the democratic constitution should be brought in by the will of the people not by “the will of a few for the sake of few and of the few” as happened in India– 300 members elected during British raj approve the constitution on behalf of 300 odd million and call it democracy!!!! The biggest and cruelest practical joke. If the protagonists claim that India is the largest and most populous democracy the other side of the coin says the biggest fraud was committed on the people of India by imposing the constitution on India and giving it a status equivalent to scriptures? That constitution was one of the most important issue cannot be denied by either the protagonists or antagonists such an important document to be approved by few “in Favour of the large masses” was it legitimate entry? If important decisions like whether the President of India who is the constitutional head is subservient to the legislature but not the people of India, makes reading awkward. Still awkward is to make this position subservient to AICC Chairperson. For this a referendum was needed was it done? Again for the appointment of the PM—this is done only in emergencies like the elected ministry falling due to withdrawal of support or a PM in office dying etc. Here the PM is supposed to contest an election within a stipulated period and not like what happened recently.Manmohan Singh did not fight any election throughout his five year term. Can we afford to have a president and the PM both unelected and still call ourselves a democracy? No referendums have been conducted for all these important issues concerning the nation. Let us come to other issues .The recent N Deal where instead of fighting among themselves the government could have conducted a referendum and shown that peoples mandate matters and the real power has to be with people always not only at the time of elections. How can you expect an appointed PM to understand the nuances of democracy? He himself is unelected and if he were to be a real person who adheres and understands the principles behind democracy he would himself has contested an election won and occupied the chair of PM. That he did not choose to do even after a term was over and new elections were announced shows the scant regard he as a person has for democratic process, the people’s mandate and the chair of PM.He always wants the backdoor entry to the office of the PM open at all times for anybody to enter and occupy—thereby making a mockery of the chair of PM. Such a person will not hold a referendum on whether the N deal has to proceed or not. Because he is basically less knowledgeable and does not know or he does not want to do anything /respect peoples will!!!
    But everybody talks about referendum why? That is the ultimate proof that you enjoy public support. What these people wan t is the benefit of referendum without actually conducting a referendum!!!! So should referendums be conducted yes instead of posing an array of questions before the electorate, to which no human being can give a yes or no answer, they are demeaning the democracy .But the argument extends further of all the themes inserted in the constitution and preamble the word democracy carries a definite meaning and not socialism or secularism or republic . So if the definite word is to be honoured power should be with the people, the people should be consulted on all important matters concerning the nation, and in a democracy all the three wings enjoy equal power not to be subverted by any extra constitutional authority like AICC chairperson. The PM’s post will always go to a person elected to lok sabha and not to a person nominated. This is not negotiable in a democracy. We will go to the extent of even insisting that the President also should be elected and not appointed.
    So let real referendums form part of democracy and not fake ones!!!!
    Jai hind!!!!

28. 

    बालसुब्रमण्यम  on April 15th, 2009

    राजीव जी आपने तो बहुत कठिन सवाल पूछ दिए।

    अब क्या जवाब दूं। वर्तमान सरकार की सफलताएं और विफलताएं बराबर ही लगती हैं।

    मनमोहन सिंह जी एक साफ-सुथरे नोन-करपट प्रधान मंत्री के रूप में उभरे हैं।

    पर अमरीका के साथ परमाणु करके और लेफ्ट के साथ विश्वासघात करके वे उद्योगपतियों के प्रति पक्षपाती भी रहे हैं।

    अब भाजपा को लें तो वरुण वांधी कांड के बाद और उसके द्वारा बारबार राम मंदिर का राग अलापने के कारण उसे वोट देने का मन नहीं होता।

    और मैं समझता हूं कि 81 वर्ष का बूढ़ा इस युवा देश का प्रधान मंत्री बनने लायक नहीं है।

    रही बाकी पार्टियां, उनमें से किसे चुना जाए? सभी बिखरे हुए हैं। कोई अकेले सरकार बनाने की स्थिति में नहीं है।

    इसलिए चुनाव के बाद सांसदों का बाजार लगने ही वाला है।

    और मुद्दे तो हमारे सामने अब भी वे ही हैं - भूख से निवारण, घर पर छत हो, बच्चे पढ़-लिख सकें, नौकरी मिले।

    इनकी व्यवस्था तो कोई भी पार्टी नहीं करती दिखती।

    सब कामनवेल्थ गेम्स, सड़कें, एसईजेड, फ्लाईओवर, परमाणु ऊर्जा, चांद पर हिंदुस्तानी को उतारने आदि की ही बातें कर रहे हैं।

29. 

    UFC betting  on April 18th, 2009

    Interesting article, nice design, i have bookmarked it for the future referrence

30. 

    Raj  on April 21st, 2009

    Thanks Rajeev. Was it an accident that you did not mention the demolition of Babri Masjid, while listing the tainted past of the Congress party.

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