KARNATAKA: The land that enjoyed incomparable prosperity under great dynasties like the Chalukyas of Badami, the Hoysalas of Halebid, the Vijayanagara rulers of Hampi and the Wodeyars of Mysore is today reeling under its own success as the IT and BT hub of India. The upcoming elections are a poignant reminder of the fact that political parties are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring their reign on the "GADDI" (Only the other day a friend was muttering so;"Gadhas on Gaddis"). More so in a state which houses the largest silicon hubs in the country. The lesson to be learnt by common man and industry alike is the inefficacy of coalition governments; courtesy the ruling coalitions of Karnataka over the last 4 years. It waits to be seen though, the outcome of the present elections in Karnataka which could definitely act as a prelude to the general election in the country next year. Here is a humble attempt at highlighting the efforts made the various political parties and their chances of making a mark in the Karnataka assembly elections.
Surprise Factor
BJP: Has been surprisingly suppressed over the issue of the jinxed one week rule after JD (S) withdrew support when it could have used it more actively to flay JD(S).
Congress: Has been actually able to regroup by recalling S.M.Krishna at a short notice.
JD (S): Has the nerve to even campaign on a mass scale after all the opportunistic drama staged over the last year!
BSP: Has lived up to its claims of becoming a national party by 2010 by entering the fray in Karnataka.
SP: No surprises here, like the HUTCH/Vodafone tag line, they have diligently followed the BSP to Karnataka.
Pre election mantra
BJP: Definitely trying to emulate the Gujarat model by promising overall and sustainable development. The have been actively campaigning all over in a bid to storm into power for the first time in a South Indian state all by themselves. A 67 page election manifesto.
Congress: Actively denouncing both BJP and JD(S) over the drama in 2007. Promises made to all sections of the society, especially the minorities. Freebies promised right from free power to total employment and what not. A 54 page election manifesto.
JD(S): The same old cliched but unfulfilled promises made over the last four years. They have just converted the verses from active to passive voice and are "voicing" it all over again. The real shockers being: Development of Bangalore on the lines of Shanghai and a 16 page election manifesto!!!
BSP: Promised reservations on lines of caste, creed, sex,age, religion, gender (including the third one), demography, geography, history, topography, species, economic status, marital status, fertility rate ...............
SP: They have the simplest mantra: "Keep quiet and let the others fight. Why waste precious money when you are in the fray only for the sake of being there).
Thumbs Up
BJP: Yeddy's image of a relatively better administrator (compared to JD (S) peers) might help. The fact that the party won assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh recently.
Congress: S.M.Krishna's return from exile (In Maharashtra). The personal interest being taken by the "Yuvraj": General Secratary Rahul Gandhi.
JD(S): People might remember them as an eco friendly party since they have saved tonnes of paper by presenting a 16 page manifesto, at least 40 pages lesser than their nearest rival! On a serious note, the pure Kannadiga party.
BSP: For having done their research on the dalit groups in the state and their economic and social status.
SP: For having kept their mouths shut.
Thumbs Down
BJP: As everywhere else, they lack the support of the minorities. The infighting between Ananth Kumar and Yeddy might tilt the balance away from them
Congress: Too many power centres within the state unit. Mallikarjuna Kharge, S.M.Krishna, Dharam Singh....Their failure at forging a sustainable coalition at the centre certainly doesn't help in the land of coalitions.
JD (S): Gowdas and their indecisiveness.
BSP: Mayawati's efforts at dividing the state on the basis of caste. Lack of a strong support base, even after all the efforts that have gone in over the last 6 months.
SP: Definitely the most insignificant player of the lot. Would find it difficult to exercise influence even in the possibility of a coalition government.
Claim to Fame
BJP: Has been surprisingly suppressed over the issue of the jinxed one week rule after JD (S) withdrew support when it could have used it more actively to flay JD(S).
Congress: Has been actually able to regroup by recalling S.M.Krishna at a short notice.
JD (S): Has the nerve to even campaign on a mass scale after all the opportunistic drama staged over the last year!
BSP: Has lived up to its claims of becoming a national party by 2010 by entering the fray in Karnataka.
SP: No surprises here, like the HUTCH/Vodafone tag line, they have diligently followed the BSP to Karnataka.
Pre election mantra
BJP: Definitely trying to emulate the Gujarat model by promising overall and sustainable development. The have been actively campaigning all over in a bid to storm into power for the first time in a South Indian state all by themselves. A 67 page election manifesto.
Congress: Actively denouncing both BJP and JD(S) over the drama in 2007. Promises made to all sections of the society, especially the minorities. Freebies promised right from free power to total employment and what not. A 54 page election manifesto.
JD(S): The same old cliched but unfulfilled promises made over the last four years. They have just converted the verses from active to passive voice and are "voicing" it all over again. The real shockers being: Development of Bangalore on the lines of Shanghai and a 16 page election manifesto!!!
BSP: Promised reservations on lines of caste, creed, sex,age, religion, gender (including the third one), demography, geography, history, topography, species, economic status, marital status, fertility rate ...............
SP: They have the simplest mantra: "Keep quiet and let the others fight. Why waste precious money when you are in the fray only for the sake of being there).
Thumbs Up
BJP: Yeddy's image of a relatively better administrator (compared to JD (S) peers) might help. The fact that the party won assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh recently.
Congress: S.M.Krishna's return from exile (In Maharashtra). The personal interest being taken by the "Yuvraj": General Secratary Rahul Gandhi.
JD(S): People might remember them as an eco friendly party since they have saved tonnes of paper by presenting a 16 page manifesto, at least 40 pages lesser than their nearest rival! On a serious note, the pure Kannadiga party.
BSP: For having done their research on the dalit groups in the state and their economic and social status.
SP: For having kept their mouths shut.
Thumbs Down
BJP: As everywhere else, they lack the support of the minorities. The infighting between Ananth Kumar and Yeddy might tilt the balance away from them
Congress: Too many power centres within the state unit. Mallikarjuna Kharge, S.M.Krishna, Dharam Singh....Their failure at forging a sustainable coalition at the centre certainly doesn't help in the land of coalitions.
JD (S): Gowdas and their indecisiveness.
BSP: Mayawati's efforts at dividing the state on the basis of caste. Lack of a strong support base, even after all the efforts that have gone in over the last 6 months.
SP: Definitely the most insignificant player of the lot. Would find it difficult to exercise influence even in the possibility of a coalition government.
Claim to Fame
(Notable way of advertising themselves)
BJP: Comparisons of prices and terrorist attacks during the tenures of NDA and UPA through print and mass media and by distributing pamphlets.
Congress: Active campaigning in remote areas by General Secratary Rahul Gandhi.
JD (S): Weepathons by the Gowdas. They start weeping during rallies at the drop of a hat.
BSP: Drawing blue outlines of elephants (party symbol) on every single pillar of the upcoming Hosur Road flyover.
SP: Entering the fray only because BSP is doing so (Must have probably mistook Karnataka for UP).
Hilarious Snippet
BJP: Narendra Modi claiming that Yeddy will turn Karnataka into another Gujarat and make it a power surplus state at a time when power projects like Nagarjuna in Udupi have been stalled for years due to opposition by locals.
Congress: Mallikarjuna Kharge slamming the Gowdas for their weepathons and weeping himself at a public rally.
JD (S) (This definitely takes the cake): Kumaraswamy attributing his heart problem to stale food offered to him during his overnight "village stay" as a Chief Minister and bursting into tears once again.
BSP: Claims by Mayawati that no government in Karnataka can be formed without her support.
SP: The fact that they have released a poll manifesto....They did?
In the spirit of democracy, let all the voters on the electoral rolls vote for the prosperity of the state and let the best man (party/coalition)win the race to Vidhan Souda. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
BJP: Comparisons of prices and terrorist attacks during the tenures of NDA and UPA through print and mass media and by distributing pamphlets.
Congress: Active campaigning in remote areas by General Secratary Rahul Gandhi.
JD (S): Weepathons by the Gowdas. They start weeping during rallies at the drop of a hat.
BSP: Drawing blue outlines of elephants (party symbol) on every single pillar of the upcoming Hosur Road flyover.
SP: Entering the fray only because BSP is doing so (Must have probably mistook Karnataka for UP).
Hilarious Snippet
BJP: Narendra Modi claiming that Yeddy will turn Karnataka into another Gujarat and make it a power surplus state at a time when power projects like Nagarjuna in Udupi have been stalled for years due to opposition by locals.
Congress: Mallikarjuna Kharge slamming the Gowdas for their weepathons and weeping himself at a public rally.
JD (S) (This definitely takes the cake): Kumaraswamy attributing his heart problem to stale food offered to him during his overnight "village stay" as a Chief Minister and bursting into tears once again.
BSP: Claims by Mayawati that no government in Karnataka can be formed without her support.
SP: The fact that they have released a poll manifesto....They did?
In the spirit of democracy, let all the voters on the electoral rolls vote for the prosperity of the state and let the best man (party/coalition)win the race to Vidhan Souda. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
3 comments:
oh I see your knowledge of K'taka politics is deep. You could do a part-time job of becoming a speculator on Namma Elections.
Nice One!
You sound like you did an entire coverage of the political milieu :D
I didnt know there were so many things involved in that elections...and whats more it fell on a sat and i didnt even get a hol! :(
so i said, BEEF! ;)
fantastic work.....u can as well be a political journalist...the best part was the Hilarious Snippet....politics of our nation has seriously becum a laughing stock now...its high time our leaders realise that they are working for the nations welfare n not for their personal welfare ....y dnt u write on the recent drama that happened in the Parliament on 22nd July.
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