Alternative 1:
Sonia G, Manmohan ji, Laloo ji, Digvijay ji, Karunanidhi ji, Raja ji, Devegowda ji, Yedi ji, Advani ji, Mulayam ji, et al
Alternative 2:
Modi, Nitish, Kejriwal, Shivraj, - the list is short but hopefully growing (can Rahul ji make it to this ji-less list here?)
The fact that the political discourse in India is changing from a fight between "ji vs. ji vs. ji" to "tea seller vs. Engg. vs. IRS officer" is something that few would have contemplated even a decade back. The change is momentous. The first group focuses on who to give special privileges, who is exempt from paying tolls at toll gates (Vadra ji) while the second group clamors to do away with special privileges (Kejriwal has started it but I expect the second group to follow suit).
The first group professes a politics of entitlements and divisions of an existing cake (this or that group has first right to India's natural resources) while the second group works to make the cake bigger and better, so all and sundry can benefit. The first group throws freebies to win elections, selling the future for today's votes while the second group works for a better future.
The first group believes in "managing elections" (Digvijay Singh) while the second group works to widen its appeal amongst one and all, with their own unique methods. Mainstream media survives like a pest in a symbiotic relationship with the first group. The second group largely survives on its own PR by leveraging social media.
By no means the above generalizations about both the groups are 100% accurate (e.g. some in the second group also believe in entitlements). But in my view, they do largely represent the differences between the two groups.
Once the political battle is won (elections), next comes the economic battle. Leaders in the second group will have to show that they have an economic vision for India. Can they generate jobs? Can they engender entrepreneurship? Can they make India rich with economic activity? So far, only a few have shown the economic astuteness while a few are still playing with the politics of entitlements.
Regardless of how this goes, I will take an India where the battle is among Modi and Nitish and Kejriwal any day over an India where the battle is among Sonia G and Advani ji and Mulayam ji.
Sonia G, Manmohan ji, Laloo ji, Digvijay ji, Karunanidhi ji, Raja ji, Devegowda ji, Yedi ji, Advani ji, Mulayam ji, et al
Alternative 2:
Modi, Nitish, Kejriwal, Shivraj, - the list is short but hopefully growing (can Rahul ji make it to this ji-less list here?)
The fact that the political discourse in India is changing from a fight between "ji vs. ji vs. ji" to "tea seller vs. Engg. vs. IRS officer" is something that few would have contemplated even a decade back. The change is momentous. The first group focuses on who to give special privileges, who is exempt from paying tolls at toll gates (Vadra ji) while the second group clamors to do away with special privileges (Kejriwal has started it but I expect the second group to follow suit).
The first group professes a politics of entitlements and divisions of an existing cake (this or that group has first right to India's natural resources) while the second group works to make the cake bigger and better, so all and sundry can benefit. The first group throws freebies to win elections, selling the future for today's votes while the second group works for a better future.
The first group believes in "managing elections" (Digvijay Singh) while the second group works to widen its appeal amongst one and all, with their own unique methods. Mainstream media survives like a pest in a symbiotic relationship with the first group. The second group largely survives on its own PR by leveraging social media.
By no means the above generalizations about both the groups are 100% accurate (e.g. some in the second group also believe in entitlements). But in my view, they do largely represent the differences between the two groups.
Once the political battle is won (elections), next comes the economic battle. Leaders in the second group will have to show that they have an economic vision for India. Can they generate jobs? Can they engender entrepreneurship? Can they make India rich with economic activity? So far, only a few have shown the economic astuteness while a few are still playing with the politics of entitlements.
Regardless of how this goes, I will take an India where the battle is among Modi and Nitish and Kejriwal any day over an India where the battle is among Sonia G and Advani ji and Mulayam ji.
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