Elections: People are masters

The results of elections held for the State Assembly of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry were declared on 13 May. The results were shocking for some, as expected for some and thriller for others. Indian democracy has survived the test of time. There are always conspiracies to subvert the democracy; people of India have come out with their final word.

Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is considered as one of the progressive State in education, health care, delivery through Public Distribution System (PDS), Higher education, and industrial development. The Dravidian movement with rationalist worldview has dominated the State for more than four decades. The Dravidian movement having an ideological base, created identity politics long before many political parties in India thought of. The pride of Tamil race, pride of Tamil language appealed to the backward castes of Tamil Nadu. They saw tremendous upward mobility. It is no wonder that a large number of Civil Services recruits this year from Backward Castes were from Tamil Nadu. (About 10 per cent of those who cleared Civil Services exam were from Tamil Nadu) However, the State while pioneering the backward caste progress ignored the Dalits who undergo daily atrocities in rural areas. As a result, urbanization helped Dalits to move out of villages to cities and Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state in India.

The outgoing Chief Minister who was perceived as the custodian of Dravidian ideology gradually deviated in promoting his immediate and extended family. He groomed his sons and daughter into politics and wanted them to succeed the throne as if in monarchy. And some of his kith and kin became wealthy by taking over lucrative businesses. The monopoly over Television and print media began to strangulate the freedom of expression for other views in a subtle manner.

Corruption that became public by 2G scam reached even rural people with the aid of Free Television scheme promoted by the DMK Government. At all levels of Government corruption was rampant. People got used to the corruption as there was no other option. Political interference in appointments, tender awards, and police force did not go well with the people. The people thought enough is enough and voted DMK out of power.

Offering money for vote has become a new culture in politics. Instead of seeking votes on the basis of service or accomplishment or promises; votes were sought through payments to voters. It was distributed to poor (at least some corruption, scam and black money reaches the poor). The vigilant Election Commission does its best to curb all such unruly, illegal, illegitimate and immoral practices but not always successful. Electoral Reforms seems to be in the back burner of most political parties, and civil society leaders have not taken up this issue seriously. Corruption cannot be fought without Electoral Reforms as black money is used in the election process.

West Bengal
The Left claimed to be pro-poor. Though they began with land reforms, helped marginal farmers and showed solidarity with the working class; they became corrupt with power. The political power they wielded made them insensitive to the people needs. The bureaucracy under Left rule lacked motivation and many times undermined by party cadres. The leadership who were most senior citizens did not understand the changes around the world, progress in other parts of the country and were in a content mode. Even Left shocking defeat in 2009 Lok Sabha elections did not wake up the sleeping political alliance. Their super confidence in their invincibility added to their arrogance and snobbery. They just tried to tinker and do some cosmetic changes that did not satisfy the aspirations of the people.

Mamta had fought hard in the streets, in all forums to see that the Left is unseated. She had her ears on the ground. As her party name indicates she was a grass root (trinamool) leader. The maverick politician who depended on her rhetoric has to convert her concept of transformation (poribartan) into reality. She has to direct all her energy that was previously directed against the Left, to provide good administration. This is an opportunity to prove her mettle as a leader who delivers her promises.

Kerala
The UDF in Kerala got a wafer thin majority. There is an opinion that if V.S. Achuthanandan had better co-operation from the party, he could have got endorsement for his governance and development. The Congress party that was complacent had to work hard to get this victory.

Assam
There seems to be a new dawn in Assam. Fear, casteism and violence dominated the state politics for long. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) became a political party that represented Ahomia community while Bharatya Janta Party represented Bengali Hindus forgetting their national aspirations. There are other splinter groups that represented Bengali Muslims. Tarun Gogoi had a pragmatic approach to issues of Assam. Development was the priority and people were happy that Congress got more seats in its third term under his stewardship. He also negotiated with ULFA, brought violence down and guaranteed safety for people. Instead of treating ULFA as Law and Order problem; he opted for political solution that brought political dividends.

Puducherry
Puducherry Union Territory election was a fight between popular leader and power mongers. Congress has the habit of letting power mongers take over the party and letting down popular leaders. NR congress that was formed just two months back by the harassed leader swept power.

Christians should reflect.................

The atheistic and rationalistic ideologies of Left and Dravidian movement are almost finished. What would replace them? There is a danger of Hindutva ideology making inroads in the States of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala. There is also an opportunity for The Church in these States to share the gospel as the field is ripe. Tamil Nadu and Kerala churches are strong enough to share the gospel, provided there is revival and vision in those churches. For West Bengal, this may be an opportune time to reach out as they are hungry and thirsty for the Truth and for Transformation. God is providing a New Door of Opportunity.