The 2014 Election Conundrum

Why I want to vote for the AAP: The AAP is change, a change from the untrustworthy, uncaring, unworthy, unreliable, unreachable, un everything politicians who have been ruling our country for the last 66 years. The country has changed but these guys refuse to because there has been no need to change. Their corrupt practices, opportunistic alliances, stupid rallies, junk manifestos, free radios, cash for votes, caste games have all worked, if not one term then the next. They know that the other side is equally bad, there is no alternative, and they will be back to rule in 5 or 10 years. We need to send them a strong message that they have to change, we will not be handed down from father to uncle to son to wife as if we were an entitlement to rule. The only way we can get this message across is by voting for a non political entity the AAP. For the first time non-politicians are standing up to rule the country and we must support them, for good or bad, for if we don’t support change, we would be dooming ourselves to an eternity of the same mindless rule. 

Why I don’t want to vote for the AAP: The party grew too big, too quickly, and many of the people signing up to stand for elections under the AAP banner are the same politicians jumping on an easy ride. There hasn’t been any background check, no sincerity check and I don’t trust those people to be the true voice of change. Also, the party grew so quickly on a single plank of corruption that they have no clue what to do regarding other issues like economy, defense, external affairs and I fear that they are not prepared to run the country.

How the AAP could sway me: If the AAP announces that only first time people can stand for election under the AAP banner and they shouldn’t have had any affiliation with any other political party, no criminal background whatsoever, that would ease one of my fears. Secondly, if they are able to rope in some qualified people and project them as the next defense minister, next finance minister etc that would greatly ease my other fear and I would vote AAP.

Why I want to vote for the BJP: The BJP had done a decent job in its last innings at the helm under Vajpayee and they deserve another chance. Modi is an able administrator and leader and I admire what he has done in Gujarat. Many of their policies resonate with me and I think they will be a good government.

Why I don’t want to vote for the BJP: I don’t see the BJP getting a full majority and hence all the important policies would get diluted under the weight of an coalition. I also don’t see any new leaders in the BJP, its the same old machines from 15 years ago, where is the young blood, it seems to be a retro move into the past. The youth of our country will become old before they get a chance to rule. I also don’t see the BJP as bold enough to take the tough steps to right the country, they play the same political games and are filled with the same criminal, caste based, money and muscle mongrels. 10 years out of power hasn’t thought them anything, they had 10 years to change, create a party for the future and they did nothing and it would be a shame to elect them after that.

How the BJP could sway me: Be bold, get in new faces, get them to head the government instead of those old re-threads. It would also help if the party stuck to its ideals instead of sacrificing them at the alter of coalition compromise, if they think they need a majority to rule properly then don’t form any alliances, let the country decide if they want the whole deal or its just a non incumbent outfit. They need to show that they have what it takes to lead the country for the next 10 years, not base their claim on just the anti congress, anti incumbency factor.

Why I want to vote for the Congress: The congress is the only party stressing on youth, they are talking about having new faces in the election and passing the mantle on to the youth of the party, Rahul Gandhi has been a big part of that initiative and I believe it might take some time but its a move one needs to support. 

Why I don’t want to vote for Congress: The Congress is opportunistic politics at its best, they place a premium on getting elected through freebies and they represent dynastic politics to the core. They have failed miserably the last 10 years and don’t deserve to be in the parliament for at least another decade. This is a party that has never changed, from 1947, they have never seen the need to change ever, having never been out of power for more than 6-7 years at a time. I believe a catharsis is on order, the only way this party should be allowed to remain is if it radically transforms itself, cleanses itself of all the old baggage and actually has a vision for the country.

How the Congress could sway me: The only way this can happen is if a really good candidate stands for election from my constituency.

Battle for Basvanagudi, the constituency I vote in, could be very interesting, the present candidates, as rumored, could be, Anant Kumar from BJP, Capt. Gopinath from AAP and Nandan Nilekani from the Congress. I detest Anant Kumar because he is an useless representative, he represents everything that I hate about the present politicians, but he represents the BJP. Nandan Nilekani would represent a good choice as a non politician standing for election and a capable man at that, but he is from the Congress. Capt Gopinath is also a non politician and from the AAP, so he might be a good compromise.

Its going to be an interesting decision.