This post is by Ratnakar Sadasyula, our guest contributor. Ratnakar is an IT professional. Please welcome him on POR.

The BJP’s spectacular rise in the 90’s was due to the enthusiastic backing of the younger sections of the population, during that time. The BJP had a large support from the younger educated professionals, the college going students, and people in the 20-40 age category. While the older generation still voted for the Congress, a major part of the BJP’s support base came from the youth. For a Generation, fed up with the shenigans of the Congress, the failure of “champagne socialism” and “sham secularism”, the BJP seemed the best alternative. The BJP’s right wing Hindutva ideology had large scale support among the urban educated middle classes, while its espousal of a capitalist economy enthused the youth. The reason why youth, including myself, supported the BJP in large numbers was its no nonsense stance on internal security and the country’s safety. Many ex Defence officers joined the BJP, impressed by the party’s discipline, its decorum. While there essentially was not much difference between Congress and BJP on economic policy in the 90’s, the difference was pronounced on other issues, like relations with US, more friendly policy with Israel, Uniform Civil Code, repeal of Article 370, which did really attract the youth.

When the NDA Government conducted the nuclear tests in 1998, the people hailed it. In an Indian foreign policy characterized often by cowardice and vote bank politics, the BJP’s act was seen as a means of standing up to the world. And Kargil, 1999, swung the pendulum towards BJP fully. It was not just the victory in the war, it was the way Jaswant Singh, traveled around the world, putting India’s stand clear, and virtually isolating Pakistan in the international forum. Even Pakistan’s regular friend China, could do nothing in this regard, as it lay totally exposed before the world. It was on such a goodwill that the NDA stormed into victory, and with great hopes. However the Kandahar fiasco, disappointed many BJP supporters down right. The sight of Jaswant Singh escorting the terrorist leaders, proved to be a real bitter pill to swallow. Neither did the long stand off after the Parliament attack, where forces were deployed on border, but just idled doing nothing. And the final straw was the way the NDA govt, responded to the brutal killing of the BSF jawans by BDR soldiers, at the Indo-Bangladesh border. The sight of the dead BSF jawans, being carried like animals on a pole, provoked outrage, and left many die hard BJP supporters disheartened. The youth who voted for the party in large numbers especially felt left down, when even a small loser nation like Bangladesh, showed the middle finger to us. Nor did the BJP do anything for the Kashmiri Pundits, who were still living in the same miserable conditions.

All these added up to many people losing faith in the BJP. One thing needs to be kept in mind, while Hindutva did play a role in the BJP’s growth, it was an issue have a limited shelf time. A vast majority of the youth, who supported the BJP during the 90’s, did so because of its stand on economic issues, internal security and foreign policy. When they saw the BJP not really delivering on those promises, it really disheartened them. No they did not shift to the Congress, but could not bring themselves to vote for the BJP. Nor were the state BJP governments offering any exemplary governance either, when it came to corruption, sycophancy, nepotism, the BJP began to resemble the Congress B team.

The UPA rule presented many opportunities for the BJP to capture the youth vote bank. The agitation by AIIMS students in Delhi against Arjun Singh’s reservation gimmicks, the bungling in the dismissal of P.Venugopal Rao, the AIIMS head, the UPA’s ineffective management of internal security and most importantly 26/11. One reason why the BJP managed to win over the youth was the way it handled the anti Mandal agitation, many of its leaders then tacitly supported the agitation, and this led to the youngsters becoming die hard supporters of the party. At the same time, the BJP managed to woo the tribal, OBC vote bank by actively promoting leaders like Sushil Modi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh in the OBC segment and Babulal Marandi, Jual Oram in tribal areas. In this way the BJP managed to attract both the upper caste, as well as the OBC, tribal segments without resorting to gimmicks like reservation. In sharp contrast the BJP leadership handling of the 26/11 aftermath, was totally ham handed. Nothing irked people more than the flying visits made by the BJP leaders to pay condolences, even while the security forces were fighting the terrorists. On one hand, the security forces and people were locked in a life and death situation, and then watching these visits on TV was totally jarring. Again after 26/11, when there was a huge rally against the attacks in Mumbai, it would have made sense for the BJP leadership to support it. But M.A.Naqvi’s insensitive comments about “lipstick powder wearing” women and some of the local leaders dismissing it as a “Page 3” rally, did not go down too well. Sure there were people of that kind, but the rally was a spontaneous outbreak of anger against the Govt’s mishandling of the situation, and what could have been a great opportunity for the BJP to channel the people’s discontent, and project itself as an alternative was totally lost.

And what really made the youth dissociate itself from the BJP has been the pub attacks in Mangalore and the antics of the Shri Ram Sene. I have seen many friends of mine, who were openly critical of their tactics, and mind you most of them are not the pub going, Westernized kind. Again the BJP’s response on this issue has been wishy washy, sort of “Yes its bad, but you see they asked for it”. Now one may debate about the merits and demerits of Valentines Day or pubs till heaven come, but one thing the BJP needs to keep in mind. Youngsters don’t really like being told what to do, they hate being disciplined. And lets face it, that’s a stage all of us have been through as youngsters, and many have matured out of it. You indulge in moral policing, in effect you are alienating the youth. No ifs and buts there, youngsters just don’t like it. The BJP needs to stop playing the role of a Super Dad, and be a friend towards the youth. Lets face it the bitter truth is that the BJP has no youth leader, who has Rahul Gandhi’s appeal, so the best thing to do would be to reach out to the youth. The youth have issues like employment, higher education on their mind. Why do so many youngsters queue up in front of the US embassy every day seeking to study abroad? Or work abroad? Why do talented young people in India have to study in some B Grade university in Australia, and face racist attacks? Trust me the moment the BJP comes up with a plan to revitalize higher education, its going to receive enthusiastic support from the youth. If the youth is veering towards Rahul Gandhi, its not because of his cute dimples, its because they feel that he could understand their concerns better. This is what the BJP needs to do immediately.

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Why has the BJP been losing its support steadily among the youth and urban educated middle class?

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So, central government has banned CPI maoist, the main outfit of maoist and naxalite activities in India. It is a much awaited action and finally government woke up when these so called revolutionaries had taken over a large part of Lalgarh. Anyways better late than never. But it should not be stopped here. Government should start an all out campaign and mind you military/para-military campaign, not a police one to flush out all the naxalites from whole country, so that a right environment of development can be created in naxal affected areas. It is the best time to do so in last 60 years and looks like universe has conspired to give us that opportunity. Government must seize it with open hands and ruthless force. Here are the reasons why it is the best time to start an all-out flush out campaign against maoist and naxalites.

1. After the heavy defeat in LokSabha elections main stream communist parties are busy taking care of their in-fighting and putting an all out effort to keep alive in politics in this ever increasing anti-communist world. So they can’t create hoop-hulla or can’t stall the process in parliament either. So no help from inside India.
2 Naxalites in India had two main sources of arms and bombs etc. One of them completely out of picture now. Yes, I am talking about Prabhakaran and his tigers. So no help from south.
3 Second main source of arms is ISI and pakistani militants who provide support across the borders of Bangladesh. They are relatively concentrating their efforts on afghan border right now. Besides pakistan government is in no position to sponsor naxals as they have problems of survival in front of them. So not much help from east & west either.
4 Main source for man power came from Nepali maoists. But they have taken route of politics now and busy establishing themselves as reliable politicians. They have dismantled their armed wing also. So no help from north.
5 China is busy capturing world in aftermath of recent recession and devoting all its energy in economy. So not to expect anything big from big brother.

In this way maoists and naxalites are on their own right now. And we have most stable government in last 20 years. Public support has already been there. So what else can fall in line to get a better opportunity.

But to make a foot-note, government should also try to open a side channel to bring them in main stream politics and take care of problems of poor in those parts of our country. Hope all will be best for this great country of ours.

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5 Reasons why it is best time to start an all-out military campaign against naxals

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It looks like just yesterday when I changed my status message in GTalk, copying from someone else of-course “Congress in LokSabha and BJP in ShokSabha”, friends laughed and I was amused. Now it has been more than a month and BJP is still in ShokSabha. They have once again ducked the process of self-scrutiny and they are busy doing patchwork. In-fighting is in open, letters are being passed, leaders accusing each other, president trying to be a hero, oldest leader yet not leaving the posts and what to say more once a cadre based highly disciplined party is being pulled in thousand directions. Let us understand the plight of BJP, there are three major types of leaders right now in BJP.

Old-Timers: One of my friend said “The whistle blower as they are already out of race”, the lost generation of BJP. These are the leaders now in there 70s and obviously not going to be a contenders for top post in next election as congress’s reliance on Rahul Gandhi is going to push BJP towards a younger leader. Arun Shouri, Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha are aiming their frustration towards strategists of this election as it was their last chance and party blew it. These leaders have nothing to loose now, so attacking party functionaries openly. We can just say to them, “Hard luck dudes”

Drawing-Room Strategists: This is the group virtually running the show for last 7-8 years now. Arun Jaitely, Sudhindra Kulkarni, RaviShankar Prasad are the faces you see on TV debates and interviews. They can not possibly win a single seat for the party, but so called polished face of party. When party wins the election, they get the credit and when it loses, it is collective responsibility. Bravo friends, for showing us how to fool democracy. If BJP wants to revive itself, they have to curb the wings of this group and let mass leaders take charge of party. This group should be restricted in functions and should be made accountable as in a company.

Hindutva-Mass Leaders: These are the people who get the votes. They win the state elections, they do development work, they are the mass leaders. Modi, Rajnath, Yedurappa, Shivraj Singh, even Varun Gandhi. Some part of media is trying to project that Varun Gandhi show cost party votes. But if we look closely it was a positive factor only in terms of votes. People who votes for BJP, mostly are Hindutva supporters. Reasons of defeat were not in Hindutva, but in economy. Thank God that in national executive meeting Rajnath accepted that party is not going to leave hindutva just because of this debacle.

And where does RSS fits in all this? RSS is been always in favor of mass leaders as against the drawing room politics. RSS wants BJP to pursue Hindutva and be a party with difference again. Let us see what it can do.

It is a situation of disaster for party as it will be out of power for 10 years in a row. So it better get its act together and do a long term planning than to do a patchwork. It should make perfectly clear where it stands on economic, political, social, religious issues. Then only expect people and more importantly its own cadre to believe in it.

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Plight of BJP and differences in party with a difference

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My first short story: comments are most welcome (based on true incident)

She smiled ….. it was more of a giggle, a lone giggle, something when you want to say “yeh pagal ladka bhi nah :)” with her one hand covering her face like in those old Madhuri Dixit posters. She smiled and world stopped for whole 5 seconds. Literally for him, metaphorically for you if you have never experienced that feeling, where you are running from polluted city, tall buildings towards a beach or a snow filled mountain but couldn’t just see it and suddenly at a moment it comes in front of you.

He was so happy for next 15 minutes that he forgot to look at that beauty again, drawn in deep happiness, making his mind to take his next step in that not so Delhi-ish part of Delhi, near Anand Vihar bus station, which is more of a UP city than Delhi in rang-roop-chaal-dhaal. It was not the first time in that hot summer day, when he had such jaw dropping experience. Earlier that day when he opened his eyes due to incoming rays of 7′o clock sun, after a 4-5 hours okayish sleep in AC sheetal bus, the first thing that came in front of his eyes was not muddy streets of passing-by Aligarh city or pretty pathetic face of share market trader sitting next to him. It was a creation of God, on which He also must be feeling pride. Not to overstate the facts, as is his habit, he said to himself, “This is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen in his 21 years of life.”

She was not like those “modern models brigade” or that “punjabi make-up ki dukaans” which are very common feature of Delhi. She was like someone you put in a picture and look at it for days, and you would not remember a thing about this damn world. Standing there, she was asking that sleepy trader to shift a bit and give her place on a 3-seater side. In her orange salwar-suit over her snow-white type body, a cute smile on her face, she made the worshiper of beauty clueless and senseless for few seconds. Our protagonist was busy looking at that beauty for next 10 minutes, when that stupid trader started falling over her in his sleep, irritated … she signals protagonist to help her in placing that sleepy head at its place … protagonist, dumbed down by beauty did so, but till then it was a bit late and she moved 4-5 rows back to sit with her bhabhiji.

Now for next 2 hours he turned back to look at her …. total 23 times …. 23rd one was with that giggle …. 23, yes he counted. Everytime he looked, she looked back …. sometimes more that 4 seconds of attraction barrier of eye contact. (if you have a eye contact of more than 4 seconds with a person without any verbal interaction, this means that person likes you, unless you are wearing your shirt upside-down :p). So, at 23rd time, it was almost Delhi in that trip form Kanpur to Delhi of his. The first thing that came to his mind was last night discussion with a friend, who is otherwise an almost perfect person, but a little weird in girl matters. That friend was very much attracted towards a beautiful girl in a mall but could not muster the courage to go upto her and talk, even after constant push by him. Friend told him that it is very difficult to go and talk with such a girl.

So, our protagonist decided to give luck a try and rehearsed some opening lines in his mind. He knew that it is not even 5% probable that traditional girl from UP would talk to him. But, he thought “what the hell, keep the bloody statistics out of picture”. Bus stopped, he got down, waited a few minutes for girl, girl arrived then conversation went as follows:
He: hi
She: (putting her bag on floor and with a big smile) hi
He: Are you from Delhi?
She: No
He: Oh, then Aligarh?
She: No, Vrindavan near Mathura, Delhi just to meet my brother.
He: Really! my home is in Mathura. My father is blah-blah-blah
She: yes, I have heard about him.
He: Where in Vrindavan?
She: blah blah
He: So, what a fortunate coincidence, I met a person from Mathura in Kanpur-Delhi bus
She: (smiles) I saw very first minute you looking at me
He: Oh, sorry for that, if you felt awkward, but you know, you are so beautiful that I could not resist
She: (giggle) oh, you think so.
He: What is your name?
She: so and so
He: I would like to meet you sometime, if it is ok with you, in Delhi, in Mathura, wherever you like.
She: ok.
He: let me give you my phone number
(opens notebook and pen, writes the number, in between her bhabhiji came down from bus)
Bhabhi: (to girl) what is going on?
She: just talking
Bhabhi: why? lets go.
He: excuse me, one minute (tries to give slip with mobile number to her, she extends her hand, but bhabhi grabs that slip)
Bhabhi: what is this?
He: phone number
Bhabhi: why would she call you?
He: I want to meet her.
Bhabhi: why?
He: arre, I liked her, that is why.
Bhabhi: You will see a girl in bus, and start liking her?
He: not fully, but to fully understand and like her, I want to meet her.
Bhabhi: This is no way of talking with girls
He: (irritated) then you tell me, what is the right way.
Bhabhi: (threw away the slip) She does not want to talk/phone you. now you go away
He: she doesn’t look like saying so.
She: (giggle, bhabhi furious)
He: ok, if you want to contact, I have told you my home address, find me, bbye
She: bbye
He, she, and that stupid bhabhi walked away in different direction and the group of around 10-15 onlooker auto-drivers dispersed……

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She smiled and the world stopped

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The problem:

Whether it is Mr. Rajdeep sardesai on CNN-IBN showing his concerns for performance of Congress party or NDTV news reporters stating their clear preferences for Left in their news items, all are sources of worry for neutral functioning of media. Media which is by its very name, not supposed to favor one party or another, seems to loosing its way. All the media persons we are discussing here are very senior reporters and thinkers as such. But problem to separate fact from the personal values and preferences is looming large on media as a whole.

It is not the first time that we are talking about media neutrality. In the era of print media also, this problem was there, but I think immediate attention is needed in time of TV channels as
1. TV channels have/ have potential to have larger reach to masses.
2. TV reporting is more assuring to viewers than readers of a news paper hence can be more misleading also.
3. News papers are essentially read by educated class, whereas TV news is watched by everyone alike.

This is like controlling the thought process of entire nation. It can not be permitted, at least the privilege given to media to have first hand information in every situation should not be misused to propagate one particular side of any story.

The solution:

So, when watching a news item on TV, viewers should be told clearly, what is the fact (hard fact) and what is personal views of a reporter. The mixing of two is quite frequent in modern TV channels. (remember old Doordarshan news, they were boring, but still facts only) I know that it is hard, almost impossible to separate a person’s own views from his/her presentation, but some efforts should be made.

It should be left on the viewers to interpret the news in their own way. Even if any channel agrees with the interpretation or not. Though I know that huge uneducated or educated-numbs are there in Indian society, who can not interpret the news by their own or can interpret in a very wrong manner. But that is democracy dear, triumph of mediocracy!

A very traditional and working solution to this problem is used by print media
- use of editorial page. Whole news paper would be hard fact (ideally) and personal views, ideologies of editors would be posted in editorial page. This way reader is free to agree or disagree from views of editor and still can use the news paper as a source of information. Similarly news channels can start a “fact-only-news-hour” in prime time and rest of the time they can show/discuss whatever they want. It is their money/mind/manpower after all.

But please do not misuse the privilege given to media by government and society and trust shown by masses for personal ideologies. This is one of the many reasons people are getting attached to personal blogs like POR than news channels. Hell, we propagate our ideas but we do tell everybody that it is personal view, you are most welcome to disagree.

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Media neutrality in India : Problem and solution

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So, the results are out and it is exact opposite to what this blog predicted. It is a major win for congress, in every state and every part of country. All other major alliances are decisively defeated. Congress says it is a vote for development and for its crown prince Rahul Gandhi. He did revive congress in UP as promised.

Still my biggest sympathy is with BJP, which is the party I voted for. A nationalist party. It is a loss of face for BJP.
But friends, There are times in history of a nation when all seem lost and looks like wrong forces have won the final battle. But dear friends, it is just a process, which goes on and on. 5 years may be significant time period in life of a man, but in life of a nation (that too a nation like India) is just a flickr of eye.

The time after defeat is not for grief and blame-game. It is the time to introspect and start preparing to come out as winner in next battle.

Though hopes are shattered and nightmares are prevailing, the dawn will surely come. It is not the first black day of Indian history, we survived and fought back. Let us do that again.

Tell us what do you feel, comment!

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Hopes are shattered and nightmares prevailed, UPA 250, NDA 160 : Share Your Views

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Join The Live Election Result Day Debate

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Brought to you by all major political blogs of India in collaboration

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Join The Live Election Result Day Debate : Event Over

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Friends, readers of my blog and fellow Indians! I see many times that some of us are very disgusted with the fact that no single party is able to win a majority of seats or vote percentage in last few elections. Some of us even suggest presidential form of government in our country. But let me make one thing very clear that if anything, under the broad framework of democracy, in India, is going to work. It is the most representative form of governance. I am in favor of raising national issues and educating common masses about them, but multi party system is different thing.

Now it is nothing but the truth that India is a big country and to give representation to all sections of society, we have to accept the multiparty system. Coalition politics is natural corollary of multi party democracy. Many countries have tradition of coalition politics, we just have to look beyond US and UK for the definition of democracy. For example, in this election the verdict is fractured and no single party is even close to form a government on its own. But polity hates the vacuum, so some government has to be formed. We can not push country into another very expansive election.

That is where post-poll alliances and coalitions come into the picture. And this is not a bad thing at all. Actually it is a better system than two party system. As in two party system there are only two opinions/options, now we have as many voices as we want. We can have a wider representation of people in this process. Our MPs now do not need to bind by policy of a big party. They have choices. If we have had two party system, then all those views have to be accommodated in two streams, but all of them still would have been there, just not that much vocal.

So, it is a high time that we accept …. no no … embrace the multi party coalition system of our country. Though I know that it is not the most efficient system. But you can have only one - freedom or convenience, it is the most basic natural rule of this universe. We choose freedom.

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Coalition is new reality, let us accept and moralize it

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This election has posed a very big question for intelligentsia of this country. Are we having 30 or so state-wise election in place of parliamentary elections? The fact and reality points towards this as

1. No major national issue. Though there was some talk about terrorism, economy, but come on guys all of us know that not more than 10% people voted based on these considerations.
2. In era of coalition post poll alliances are formed based on state-wise situations of a party. Maya vs Mulayam, Jaya vs Karuna, Lalu vs Nitish, Mamta vs Left are main factors, not any ideology.
3. Both major national parties are way below magic figure of 272. and none is going to get more than 30% of total votes. Even in states where they are in main fight, their regional leaders are more important than any national figure. Modi in Gujarat, Shila in Delhi, Shivraj Singh Chauhan in MP are main face, not Advani or Sonia.

So the main problem of this fragmentization of indian polity is that holistic approach is missing and there is a fear that in near future any leader might prefer regional benefit over national benefit. It got me worried.

But if we ponder closely then it will turn out to be a triumph of the democracy. Democracy is “Representation of everyone’s aspirations while making policies”. And if a normal person connects himself with local issue more than any national issue then it should get representation in national polity. In this way it is the triumph of democracy, but not necessarily the best thing for whole society.

This is where role of political parties, media and intelligentsia of country comes in. It is their responsibility to make common people aware of national issues. So, I call for highlighting important issues related to larger problems than your street light and hand-pump of your locality (like environment, water security, soil contamination) in next election. So for next 5 years (or less than that ) all of us should work towards educating common people of country for this purpose. Political education never stops, not for you, not for me. It is to make democracy work for good of all, though it is working anyway.
Comment, what do you think should be part of such national agenda.

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Let us decide the agenda for the next generation

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