Poll Promises - In search of a positive light
This Indian Voter spent some quality time going through the election manifestos of various political parties in the hope of finding at least one progressive, forward looking agenda. Not to disappoint any one, this writer could find at least one such point in every party’s manifesto. Here they are.
DMK: Introduce Metro rail in Chennai and its suburbs.
Though the Metro Rail scheme is being talked about for a long time, its necessity is more pressing now than before. If Chennai doesn't have another public transport system, the existing transport infrastructure would crumble and what we see in Bangalore would happen to Chennai in a few years. Leaving aside the importance of Metro Rail to Chennai, isn't it true that Railways is a Central subject? Surprisingly, DMK's manifesto also talks about upgrading the airports - which again doesn't come under the State Government's jurisdiction. Anyways, let us give credit to the thought.
On a different note, this is the only positive aspect in DMK's manifesto. The party is ready to give most of them free of cost to the public like '2 acres of land', 'free gas stoves', 'free colour TVs' etc. Such flamboyant schemes will only take the state backward by several paces.
AIADMK: Attract foreign companies to invest in Tamil Nadu.
Though there is no mention of 'how' they are going to do that, since TN has attracted a decent level of foreign investment in the past (especially during AIADMK regime), this point is thought of as the most positive promise in AIADMK's manifesto.
AIADMK's manifesto doesn't contain anything spectacular. Nor do they promise to dole out freebies. Either AIADMK is very confident of their past 5 years of rule or they think that people care a damn about these manifestos. Jayalalithaa's promise of 'Buy 10 kg rice & get another 10 kg free' was made during the course of campaigning and doesn't find a mention in the manifesto. Most of AIADMK's promises go like 'Ensure that TN is a garden of peace', 'Control prices' etc makes one yawn.
MDMK: Demand a legislation that makes States abide by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.
A very sensible demand. Particularly when some states make a mockery of the authority of such tribunal, one wonders about the purpose of such bodies. This demand and another one for nationalisation of rivers need to be appreciated.
MDMK has realised very well that they wouldn't have any say in the government, irrespective of which party manages to form. Probably, that is why all their points promise about 'demanding' something or other.
DMDK: Introduce bio-technology in farming.
This is one of the rare forward looking promises. It is time that India thinks about second green revolution and there is no better way to start that than bio-technology. Though this writer is not aware of how easy or difficult it would be to introduce bio-technology in farming, active government encouragement would be a welcome change.
Like DMK's manifesto, DMDK's manifesto contains lot of flashy & flamboyant schemes like door delivery of PDS goods, Rs 500 a month to all pregnant women up to 3 years etc. Unless the State Government starts a press to print currency notes, it would not be possible to implement these promises and at the same time improve the economy.
Apart from the few bits of shine here & there, none of the major players seem to have any long term vision for the state. There is not an iota of suggestion or any roadmap for growth & development. There is no talk about developing the infrastructure in the cities or sustaining the growth in small towns. Political parties especially DMK is hell bent on providing reservations to Christians & Muslims, knowing fully well that Supreme Court only recently struck down such a legislation enacted by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Of course, it is our mistake to expect any politician in India to think beyond the next five years.
On going through all the party manifestos, one thing that is very obvious is that the political parties have made 'rice' an election issue this time. It may be worth remembering that in 1998 onions were the election issue when Delhi Union Territory went to polls. While DMK promises to provide rice at Rs 2 per kg, AIADMK responded with a 'Buy 10, Get 10 free' scheme, DMDK went a step further by promising 15 kgs of rice free of cost. This writer wouldn't be surprised if another political party promises to provide three course meals twice a day for free.
If Tamil Nadu is reasonably well developed, secure and one of the ‘liveable’ places in India, it is not because of these political parties. It is ‘inspite of’ these parties.
DMK: Introduce Metro rail in Chennai and its suburbs.
Though the Metro Rail scheme is being talked about for a long time, its necessity is more pressing now than before. If Chennai doesn't have another public transport system, the existing transport infrastructure would crumble and what we see in Bangalore would happen to Chennai in a few years. Leaving aside the importance of Metro Rail to Chennai, isn't it true that Railways is a Central subject? Surprisingly, DMK's manifesto also talks about upgrading the airports - which again doesn't come under the State Government's jurisdiction. Anyways, let us give credit to the thought.
On a different note, this is the only positive aspect in DMK's manifesto. The party is ready to give most of them free of cost to the public like '2 acres of land', 'free gas stoves', 'free colour TVs' etc. Such flamboyant schemes will only take the state backward by several paces.
AIADMK: Attract foreign companies to invest in Tamil Nadu.
Though there is no mention of 'how' they are going to do that, since TN has attracted a decent level of foreign investment in the past (especially during AIADMK regime), this point is thought of as the most positive promise in AIADMK's manifesto.
AIADMK's manifesto doesn't contain anything spectacular. Nor do they promise to dole out freebies. Either AIADMK is very confident of their past 5 years of rule or they think that people care a damn about these manifestos. Jayalalithaa's promise of 'Buy 10 kg rice & get another 10 kg free' was made during the course of campaigning and doesn't find a mention in the manifesto. Most of AIADMK's promises go like 'Ensure that TN is a garden of peace', 'Control prices' etc makes one yawn.
MDMK: Demand a legislation that makes States abide by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.
A very sensible demand. Particularly when some states make a mockery of the authority of such tribunal, one wonders about the purpose of such bodies. This demand and another one for nationalisation of rivers need to be appreciated.
MDMK has realised very well that they wouldn't have any say in the government, irrespective of which party manages to form. Probably, that is why all their points promise about 'demanding' something or other.
DMDK: Introduce bio-technology in farming.
This is one of the rare forward looking promises. It is time that India thinks about second green revolution and there is no better way to start that than bio-technology. Though this writer is not aware of how easy or difficult it would be to introduce bio-technology in farming, active government encouragement would be a welcome change.
Like DMK's manifesto, DMDK's manifesto contains lot of flashy & flamboyant schemes like door delivery of PDS goods, Rs 500 a month to all pregnant women up to 3 years etc. Unless the State Government starts a press to print currency notes, it would not be possible to implement these promises and at the same time improve the economy.
Apart from the few bits of shine here & there, none of the major players seem to have any long term vision for the state. There is not an iota of suggestion or any roadmap for growth & development. There is no talk about developing the infrastructure in the cities or sustaining the growth in small towns. Political parties especially DMK is hell bent on providing reservations to Christians & Muslims, knowing fully well that Supreme Court only recently struck down such a legislation enacted by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Of course, it is our mistake to expect any politician in India to think beyond the next five years.
On going through all the party manifestos, one thing that is very obvious is that the political parties have made 'rice' an election issue this time. It may be worth remembering that in 1998 onions were the election issue when Delhi Union Territory went to polls. While DMK promises to provide rice at Rs 2 per kg, AIADMK responded with a 'Buy 10, Get 10 free' scheme, DMDK went a step further by promising 15 kgs of rice free of cost. This writer wouldn't be surprised if another political party promises to provide three course meals twice a day for free.
If Tamil Nadu is reasonably well developed, secure and one of the ‘liveable’ places in India, it is not because of these political parties. It is ‘inspite of’ these parties.
posted by Indian Voter at 3:38:00 PM
8 Comments:
kalasala ezhuthareenga
Awesome analysis buddy.
Please publicise through your media that Indian voters have a legal right to reject all the candidates through 49-) of election rules 1961.The voter can go to the booth and record 49- O. Ohpodu movement in Tamilnadu is now campaigning from April 6 through handbills, e mails, SMS etc about this. To know more log in to www.ohpodu.org for info in tamil and english. contact numbers : 09869046486 and 09444024947
Amazing analysis. I can see you writing for a newspaper column soon. You have the potential.
Until I read this article, I had no idea of the extent these parties are taking us for a ride. I must also agree that I have never read any manifesto in full, because I have no idea where to procure them. The media which has the responsibility to present it to the media, is unfortunately owned by the parties and is thus biased.
So, if more people read articles like yours, it would inspire their thinking.
Well done. Keep writing.
Indian voter, the last para is a real 'punch'. Wow, I can see there are many people like you who think sensibly but what is more important is that by your writings you also tend to make the ignorant people think like how Ms.Brindha Saran graciously accepted. I am sure your writing will 'open' many eyes!!
Anonymous, Nivedita, Brindha Saran, Ravi: Thanks very much.
fortynineohpodu: Will definitely write about it. Thanks.
Amazing post!!! I have started getting interest in Politics because of your blog. The last para was simply superb!!Keep writing...
Rice all the way
By the second week of March, it appeared as if AIADMK was going to win by a comfortable margin, but now, at the end of April with 10 days to go for the elections, the writing is on the wall. DMK is going to come back to power and ADMK bag about 50 seats. The reasons
1. Karthik and his forward Bloc are not going to win any seat, but will garner 3000 to 7000 votes in each consistuency and most importantly 100 % of Forward Bloc’s votes are going to come from AIADMK
2. Vaiko’s vote bank included two groups. One Telugu speaking people and a sizeable propotion of that is going to vote for Vijayakanth now. The second group of Vaiko’s vote bank was people who voted against ADMK as well as DMK. They are now going to vote to Vijayakanth
3. When DMK announced Rice at 2 rupees a kilo, ADMK and MDMK were ridiculing that and told that it is impossible. But after 10 days, ADMK announces that they will give 10 kilos free. This is a single factor that is responsible for the MOOD SWING Over the past 2 weeks
4. In the end result, ADMK is going to win in the northern parts and DMK is going to have a landslide victory in the southern districts (considered a ADMK stronghold)
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