Should Congress leave its Quid Pro Quo strategy?

Amid Gujrat elections, lots of things are said and heard. Sometimes its funny, sometimes offending. Sometimes it makes one think - What exactly is happening here?
Recently two such instances happened, with major contribution coming from Congress. First instance is of calculation error to indicate price rise in BJP's tenure.

Now this could have been a good strategy by Congress, but it fizzled out for a gross calculation error of putting % increase in price by extra 100 points. People made mockery of it and then Rahul Gandhi took a big step of apologizing and accepting the mistake made. But in doing that too, he tried to look down BJP by initiating his tweet with words like "Unlike Narendrabhai, ------"

Was that really necessary? Couldn't he just accept his mistake and not try to bring BJP or relevant things in it.

Second instance just happened yesterday. Manishankar Aiyar called the PM with the word "Neech". In what context, I do not know. Compared to calculation error, this apparently is a bigger mistake made. Narendra Modi, did try to cash in on it immediately in his speech during a Surat rally. Rahul Gandhi once again came up strongly criticizing the tone and language used by Mr. Aiyar. But he again did not missed the chance to point out that BJP also use such foul language.

As such strong words are coming from the to be president of the party, they also had to act and so did they. They immediately suspended his primary membership of the party. This was announced by Mr. Surjewala and here he also tried to show off  by notifying that Congress did take the action on Mr. Aiyar but questioned if Mr. Modi has the courage to do the same. 

I am just wondering what exactly is the Congress trying to achieve through these acts. If they are sincere about these apologies and actions, they should do only that much. Every time by comparing their actions with the BJP's action, they are actually highlighting their actions as meant solely gaining popularity and show BJP as downgraded. This is not going to help in the long run. Congress is a party in crisis. They need to struggle and work hard to get back to original form rather than comparing with strong opponent party. Like BJP at different times pitched the ideas of Hindutva, development model, good governance and worked with these ideas. Same way, Congress need something original and not just comparison.

Prime Minister's Interview

 I started getting messages on Facebook and Whataspp related to the exclusive interview given by our Prime Minister to Times Now. I had no clue about it before, but then came to know of its re telecast at 9.00 p.m. At the same time, I also received the full written version of the interview, which I tried reading for some time. When I started watching it at 9.00 p.m., since initial part was all read by me, and as it was full of formalities, where Arnab and the Prime Minister were thanking and wishing each other ( kind of again and again) for many different  reasons. Contrary to what I read from different messages about awesome interview, I found the start little sluggish. May be because, we are used to see Arnab speaking in such  a polite and normal way to anybody and also because we always hear Prime Minister giving speeches and not giving interviews. So, I thought, its just another boring interview and I switched the channel, started watching some dumb movie. During one of the breaks in the movie, I for no reason switched back to the interview. At this moment, the interview probably had taken a grip with some serious discussion on. Arnab was asking questions on any subject and the Prime Minister was answering in complete detail. I was really surprised to realize the depth of knowledge, our Prime Minister had on all the issues. For example, he was talking about the improvisation of farmer's situation. When he was talking about the steps taken for their improvement, the kind of detailing he went into to support his actions, were amazing.For the first time, I felt like, yes, for the first time probably (in my life time), we have a Prime minister, who has views ! and they are worth listening and also getting motivated. I watched complete interview there after, and felt it was worth spent one hour fifteen minutes. I guess, even Arnab did good job.He touched upon all the issues and even tried going in details. Infact the Prime minister himself went in so many details, that Arnab don't had to do much work there. After watching it completely, even I found it really fantastic and worth sharing. Do watch this interview, as  it helps us creating better picture of present situation of our country.

Video Courtesy: DataTeam News

( The quality of video isn't that good, but what is important here is what the Prime minister talked about.)

Maharashtra elections

A week more and Maharashtra goes into election. Lots of new developments took place in last couple of days. All should be called significant. On one side, BJP-SHIVSENA coalition (25 years old) broke, and on the other side (CONGRESS-NCP) coalition also broke.

This has made elections very intresting. It is a 5 cornered fight now. And I believe, this will really bring the real image of all the parties in front of the voters.

On one side, Shivsena is still sulking on the breaking of the partnership. They are trying to create a picture that it is all BJP's fault. It probably worked for initial 2-3 days of campaigning, but now, it has started appearing that Shivsena has no other agenda to present. Seems like Shivsena is doomed.

BJP seems to have chosen the high road. They are as far as possible neglecting what shivsena or other parties are saying regarding the breaking of coalition. They have brought their star campaigner, Modi, who is pitching once again for Development.

Seems like Modi wave is yet to be over and may help BJP.

Congress and NCP seem to have no agenda.

While Congress is trying to encash some developments like monorail, metro and worli -bandra sealink, they have no other thing to show. All these developments are part of Mumbai. What about rest of Maharashtra. No advertisement on that front.

NCP is also trying to make some profit out of the development in last 10 years. But some how they are not able to encash it. Their main power resides on the local popularity of their candidate. Some regions of Maharashtra are their forts, untouchable. At rest of the places, hardly a possibility.

The fifth corner is MNS. Raj Thackrey is another one than BJP who is pushing on development card. He has released the blue print for Maharashtra's development(available at http://mnsblueprint.org/)

A quick look shows that he has done his homework. As always, he impresses with his oratory. But on the backdrop of his Loksabha results, its difficult to say, how good he is at the moment. But, my guess is, he could be underdog.

Overall, its going to be a tough contest. Most probably, it will be a hung parliament.

I feel BJP will make the most of it, followed by NCP and Shivsena, then Congress and MNS.But its difficult to pinpoint the number of  seats each party will win. That requires a little more detailed study. 

But one thing is sure, all the leaders shouting at each other at the moment, will soon become friends once their need for each others help to form a government  becomes the major intention.

Every body in Maharashtra will be eagerly waiting for October 19. The big day

Modi vs Rahul: A difference worth noting

Now that the election fever is over, one thing that has stopped or atleast reduced is the comparison between the two leaders of the competing parties, Narendra Modi of BJP Vs Rahul Gandhi of Congress. All the while when during election fever, people/media would come up with any reason that can be used to compare them. Many of the times, these comparisons were biased and made only to highlight one of them compared to another. But this can said that people in general had already weighed the two leaders in their minds and that is the reason, we are seeing Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister of India.

One of the criteria that has made place in mind while comparing these two leaders is how did they dealt with the outgoing prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

There is a lot to talk about the Rahul's treatment towards Dr. Manmohan Singh. Starting with his act of tearing down the ordinance headed by PM in front of media to giving a miss to the party organized farewell dinner to the PM, he pretty much appeared  a bit arrogant. May be, the first act of tearing down the ordinance could be a part of showing him as a strong leader. But, his absence from the dinner, really created a bad impression in people's mind. Worst part, it was discussed widely and many channels even mentioned that he went for 2 day vacation, post election campaign, to Bali. Now that is big.

If these acts are compared with what Narendra Modi did yesterday, it becomes really easy to distinguish the two leaders.

Now, because of late oath ceremony followed by dinner held by President, the regular formality of new PM seeing off old PM from 7 RCR, could not be followed. Narendra Modi, yeasterday, on his first day in PM office, out of busy schedule, took a never walked road and went to meet Dr. Manmohan Singh at his new residence. This visit was no where planned in his schedule. But this humble gesture must really have added few more people in his fan following.

This reminds me of the Indian Cricket Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's gesture when he let the outgoing, retiring Sourav Ganguly to lead the team in the last session of his last test match. I think that was one of the best gestures made by any body towards their seniors. It unknowingly added respect towards Dhoni. Yesterday's Modi's visit was a reminder of the similar act and I believe that is one of the significant  signs of a good leader. 

Abki Baar Modi Sarkar

This times election in India has been significant. It has changed many definitions and baffled every body.

What Narendra Modi has done, can only be called as a Magic. For the first in the history of India, has any party other than Congress, grown to such a stature to get the majority on its own. It brought an end to the era of coalition politics. It reduced a party of 150 years history to a level to stand in lines with regional parties. It saw many stalwarts loosing from their own forts. It saw for the first time, a big name like Rahul Gandhi trailing till half the counting before he managed to survive some how. It for the first time has shaken the roots of politics in India which was based on dynasty till date. It proved that people do not care any more caste, religion or any other such discrimination but instead want development. People for the first time were heard saying that they do not want free things but want opportunities to grow.

Something surely has changed. Any person we meet  is looking upbeat and excited. There is different kind of vibe coming from foreign countries which make us feel that India is a stronger country than before.

I believe all the expectations, the people of India have, will come in to reality. Coming 60 months should set a mark of development for India.

Narendra Modi at FICCI and the biased media

While browsing channels yesterday, I happened to come across an event organized by FICCI. It was centered around Women Entrepreneurship, Women empowerment. What made it such  a talked about event is the presence of Narendra Modi as the speaker.

I have never really heard him talking before. So, I did not know what to expect. Right from the way he stands on the podium to the way he talks and how he talks, everything is pretty much first time experience. Also, I started watching the event somewhere from middle, so, I do not know the over all impression of his talk.

After listening him, my immediate impression was positive. He is a good orator. He knows how to keep audience connected and interested in his talk. He makes people laugh at regular intervals. He also leave any chance to take a dig at the opponents. But he also talks sense. He sounds knowledgeable. He perfectly  follows the basic trick of a successful talk. He makes a comment. Elaborates. Supports it with a relevant example with all technical detail and again reminds you of the basic statement to complete the point.

 I was pretty much impressed by his talk (part that I heard). Forget any other Chief Minister, I have not seen any Central Minister or even Prime Minister making a comment full of all the technical details,explained  in simple words understandable to a normal person with out referring to any written note. I guess that's the reason why I did not feel like changing the channel that I otherwise do and listened him.

Well that was my impression about his talk. I did not know his talk is so much talked about by the media. Almost all the news channels had a panel ready to discuss Narendra Modi's talk and rate it on points basis. I was little surprised initially and later disgusted to see the way these Panels were discussing his talk. Almost all the panels were criticizing him and rating his talk as average. I would understand the criticism if it is based on proper and detailed analysis on every point he discussed or  new  reforms he introduced to make women's situation better in his state. But that was not the case. 

I found that the approach of these panels was just to criticize him. There was a guy on ABP news who pointed out that what Narendra Modi said, he could have said it more precisely and in simple and short way. According to him, Narendra Modi spent too much time making a point. Funny part is the person criticizing himself took more that 5 minutes to make this point. Finally, the anchor had to intervene by stopping him abruptly and summarizing his point to move on to next person.

There was another guy on some panel who said Narendra Modi unlike Rahul Gandhi stood at a place all the time while delivering his talk. According to him this is old fashioned unlike Rahul Gandhi's modern way of taking mic in hand and walking around. The person making this point himself was sitting in chair railing behind for the support with out any other movement  than his wagging tongue.

A lady enterpreneur who attended the talk was disappointed because Narendra Modi did not talked about any other issue than what was specific for that podium. I guess he was given  a specific topic to talk and he knew the target audience is Women. I don't know what that particular lady was expecting to hear because she herself did not pointed out a single issue that she wanted Narednra Modi to talk about.

Apparently, Narendra Modi started his talk (which I missed) by talking about word "Matru" to make a foundation for his talk. I did not hear it so really don't know what his direction was, but I am surprised how one of the anchor herself and a guy on her panel tried to analyse his usage of word "Matru". They some how managed to connect his views behind word "Matru" to treating women in old fashioned way where women means house hold work and nothing else.

 On the contrary, when same TV channels tried asking some of the women entrepreneurs who attended the talk about their impression, they were all pretty happy with it. Some of them said initially it sounded like a "Pravachan", but later on he took a good grip and talked sense. I even remember the lady I mentioned earlier initially criticizing Narendra Modi for not covering the Broad Canvas (probably the reason why chosen for the panel discussion), but when another lady standing next to her was all praise for Narendra Modi's talk, she changed her tone and tried to make it sugar coated.

I am not giving any impression about Narendra Modi here. My reason to write this topic here is the apparent biased media. Media is trying to paint a picture which possibly is not true. They should try to be neutral and put the real thoughts in front of the audience. Make a sensible analysis  rather point out how one talks and how one stands.