India- Furture Of Rahul Gandhi

At present India is focusing on a new leader who is emerging fast- Rahul Gandhi. What impact will Rahul Gandhi have in Indian democracy? Let us try and understand.

The Indian National Congress is full of old politicians who are not known much for their honesty but more for the wily moves they can make. All of these leaders can secure their own parliamentary seat but can make no contribution in getting a majority for Congress in the country.

2 Rahul Gandhi is meeting people around the country and trying to solve their problems. Let us say that he is rather trying to understand their problems. This will give him a vision of what is happening.

3. Today Indian polity is getting sharply divided amongst caste and religion. It is the caste that is becoming a card in the hands of politicians. Arjun Singh is everyday talking about more reservations based on caste. This is not forward-looking thing. But this may get votes. Rahul has not come out openly about his opinion on caste-based reservations.

4. Rahul Gandhi talks of uniting the country with single thought of taking it forward where as the regional party chieftains are making a big impact because of their moves in their states. Mayawati has done that in Uttar Pradesh. How will Rahul Challenge Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh?

5. In Gujarat also Rahul failed to make much impact. And so also with Karnataka.

The problem with Rahul Gandhi is simple. He has a different kind of view of politics and elections. His party members do not understand that. Also to fight the local politicians’ old style politics is needed. Rahul cannot make an impact in the short term. He has to do something like his grandmother to grow in India. This is the reality of India.

India- The Vibrant Nature Of Democray In India

India has thriving democracy. The Indian democracy is said to be very vibrant. With the number of religions, languages, customs in India it is indeed a wonder that India is not only surviving as a country but also thriving. During last one week the members of Indian parliament are crossing over from one party to another at a speed that would surprise the fastest cat. Is this a negative factor or a positive factor?

Most of the commentators are calling this immoral politics. The MPs are changing their affiliation overnight. Yes, it does look immoral. But does this hurt democracy or help it? The first reason of having democracy is to have freedom of choice. Every person in the country must have a choice in everything he/she does. This avoids rule of a single person or a single party. India does not have a two party system. There ate many parties in India trying to represent regional and religious aspirations. Today these parties have a choice and the strength to show that they matter. Many parties with single MPs were forgotten all these years. Suddenly they are being listened to. Their demands are being given attention. Is that bad? I think that it is the best thing that could have happened with these parties. They had no voice and suddenly they find that they are being courted and their demands are getting attention.

When we look at the actions of MPs and call them immoral or moral we tend to forget that people selected these MPs. It is for people to decide whom to elect. If people chose some one the intellectuals sitting in comfortable homes have no business preaching the MPs what to do. The people will do that. Democracy should be for all and should give importance to all. In a house of parliament that has more than 500 members, a single party with majority can always crush the desires of smaller parties. Now these smaller parties are getting a chance to get a foothold. Why call that immoral? This is the nature of vibrancy of Indian democracy. We should let it thrive.