Indian Elections 2009
Everybody is going crazy with the elections and I am all for it. This is fun and I am very aware of the fact that I am fortunate enough to be viewing election history being made in India. This must be the first time after independence that the aam aadmi has been galvanised into action & is realising again the power his vote gives him. Ungli de do campaign. Cooool innit?
This time I can see many candidates who are real people – not just political families or local goondas turned politicians. This is also the first time that so many of the poor and the homeless are going to use their vote. Check this article about the homeless in Delhi who have applied for a Voters I card. The message to all politicians is clear – its shape up or ship out time. Finally there is a larger accountability and you can see the nervousness in the faces of the politicians. Nobody is sure. The violent types still rule in some states but methinks this is the beginning of the end of the “goonda raj“
Due credit to the media for this. Some of their campaigns may be hysterical but the overlying message is clear, Vote, Vote and Vote. You can win redefined…. Hindustan Times has the One billion votes campaign. Times of India has the Lead India thing going on. Indian Express has General Elections 09. Deccan Chronicle, DNA , The Telegraph, The Statesman and The Hindu are just giving the traditional election coverage. No separate election campaigns as far as I could make out.
These campaigns can be used as an indicator of newspaper heirarchy & define clearly “the Pan India thought leaders” from ”the grand old regional dames”.
