Indian General Elections And The Birth Of The Third Front
By Kamla Bhatt • Mar 13th, 2009Category: India, Life, YouTube Videos
Change is in the air? Has Obama’s infectious election theme of “change” crossed the seven seas and influenced India politicians? Is change in the air in India? You would think so if you read about the birth of a new political party or should I say the birth of a hastily cobbled together coalition of like-minded people who want a share in ruling India?Or, is it a change to bring back the old order to place? Is it a change that will bring back the old order, and not create a new order?In case you missed the news…a new political party was born in India just in time for India’s general elections that starts in April and concludes in mid-May.
Until now the general perception was that the election is largely between the ruling Congress Party (The United Progressive Alliance) and Bharatiya Janata Party (The National Democratic Alliance). But on March 12, 2009 the Indian political landscape underwent a a change with the birth of a new party: The Third Front consisting of an interesting mix of politicians and parties. What drew this group of politicians together is perhaps best described by the Communist leader Prakash Karat: The country needs a new alternative. Maybe Mr. Karat should have said he and his friends are looking for a new alternative to get back to being part of the ruling coalition.The Third Front was launched in Tumkur, which is located about 45 miles north of Bangalore (India’s Silicon Valley) in Karnataka state. Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda spearheaded the movement to form this new party to promote a secular and democratic India. Mr. Gowda was previously the Prime Minister of India from 1996-1997. This was at a time when PM Narasimha Rao had resigned and the BJP was unable to form a viable government at the center. Mr. Gowda became the PM of the coalition party that briefly held power in New Delhi. However, Mr. Gowda did not complete his full term as a Prime Minister.
After his brief stint in New Delhi, Mr. Gowda went back to his home state of Karnataka, where he became deeply involved in the domestic politics of Karnataka. Mr. Gowda has had a pretty interesting and checkered political ride.Who are the other members of The Third Front? Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Communist Party of India, Janata Dal (Secular), Revolutionary Party of India, Telugu Desam Party and others. While Jayalalitha, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Maywati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh did not attend the rally at Tumkur both of them sent their representative to the rally in Tumkur.
The birth of a new party automatically means that The Congress and BJP will have to rework their election strategy and messaging. Until a few days ago the general election was largely thought to be a fight between The Congress and The BJP. But, clearly things have changed now and there could be more changes in the offing if Mayawati decides to run for the PM’s post from the new party. What worries many political pundits is a scenario where neither of the parties get a clear majority to form the new government and it will require them to forge an alliance with The Third Front to form the new government. Maybe that is what Mr. Karat had in mind when he pointed out the country needs a new alternative? Assuming The Third Front garners sufficient votes then it might become a key player in forming the new government in May. It seems that is the strategy that The Third Front wants to follow. But can The Third Front succeed in this kind of tactic? We will have to wait and see.The Economist nailed the argument when it pointed out:
Even if the Third Front does well enough at the polls to win over more supporters and form a government, it would almost certainly be fatally weakened by internecine bickering, policy dissension and leadership clashes. Similarly conceived “third front” alliances have formed governments in India on two occasions in the past. Neither came close to completing its full term.
Even though UP Chief Minister Maywati did not attend the rally she has made it clear that she wants the post of Prime Minister. Political pundits point out that Maywati has not disguised her ambitions to become the Prime Minister of India. A couple of years ago when she made a triumphant comeback as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Time magazine had this to say about Mayawati:
She represents the best and worst of the messy behemoth that is Indian democracy…But in recent years Mayawati has been smart enough to shed her sectarian politicking and forge alliances with other groups, including upper caste Brahmins.”
In 2008 Forbes ranked Maywati as Number 58 in their list of The 100 Most Powerful Women and said:
“Some say she could trail-blaze again as India’s first Dalit prime minister.”
Mr. Advani will run as the candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Dr. Manmohan Singh is being projected as the Congress Party’s candidate for PM, but there are reports that Sharad Pawar is interested in the PM’s post. Guess we will know who becomes the PM on sometime in mid-May once the elections results are announced.India’s general elections will be held in a phased manner from April through May. For instance the polls for the Lower Chamber or the Lok Sabha will be held from April 16 to May 13, 2009. Counting of the votes will start on May 16, 2009.
Technorati tags: Indian elections 2009, The Third Alternative, Deve Gowda, Prakash Karat, Congress, BJP, LK Advani, Mayawati, India
Excellent blog.In India election season has come yet again. Political parties are upto palying the tricks of caste, religion, greed and liquor . All indians to be wise and broad minded, its the country, society which is more important than once’s personal,religious or caste interest. We must accept we have very very limited scope to vote for a good person, but thankfully still we have a chance to vote for some one good. We can not expect much of change in our political system or in our governance, but atleast we should give a try to change. Every politician appeals to the intellectuals and educated people and even challenges them to enter the politics, bring the changes and clean the dirt. alas end of the day, all parties fields criminals on their tickets, misery is people who are convicted are fielded, who are in Jails are also fileded. Wise people saves our country and our democracy. Casting our vote is to for the satisfaction that,atleast let us bring a change.
Wisdom should work above sentimentalism and work earnestly without attachment. Should be be an authentic also. Communicate authenticity to voters by standing up for what you believe in and sharing with voters what it is that calls you to public service.Election Day is a turnout game, so make sure that you have a robust effort to get your supporters to the polls. Get-Out-the-Vote planning should begin on day one of your campaign. Work with reporters to earn media coverage to help communicate the message of your campaign to a broader audience. Even on a grassroots campaign, don’t underestimate the importance of raising money. Start by generating a list of personal contacts and send a letter asking for their support. You won’t get what you don’t ask for. Ask directly for people’s money, time, and, of course, their vote. Convert undecided voters into supporters, and supporters into active volunteers and leaders. Ignore the people you’ll never convince!
Generate repeated, direct, personal contacts with voters. The more personal the conversation, the more effective it is at persuading voters to support you. Repeat that message over and over and over again. When you are completely tired of repeating your message, voters are just beginning to hear it. Develop a compelling message that connects with voters and conveys the central argument of your campaign-why you are running, and why voters should choose you. Lay out your path to victory in a campaign plan that you refer to often. Your plan is not a plan unless it’s written down! There is an important distinction between effectiveness and efficiency in managing an election.· Effectiveness is doing the right things.
· Efficiency is doing things right.
The general principles of effective management can be applied in every field, the differences being more in application than in principle. The Manager’s functions can be summed up as:
· Forming a vision
· Planning the strategy to realize the vision.
· Cultivating the art of leadership.
· Establishing institutional excellence.
· Building an innovative organization.
· Developing human resources.
· Building teams and teamwork.
· Delegation, motivation, and communication.
· Reviewing performance and taking corrective steps when called for.
Thus, election management is a process of aligning people and getting them committed to work for a common goal to the maximum social benefit – in search of excellence.
I and my family have always been congress supporters but slowly are realising that in the national interest we hv to look for other options.Because even after 50 yrs of congress rule if a movie on slums can get oscars it is only due to congress.
And about the leader,i just dont have even slightest of doubt that Mr.manmohan Singh has failed and failed miserably.And its not exactly Manmohan who has failed but the madam behind him.If Manmohan was doing wt madam was telling him to,then it means that madam has failed in ruling,so she’s a looser and thus will loose this election too.I hope in the tension of loosing she doesnt commit the all famous “Margaik” mistake which congress always commits.
We can clearly see the party slowly going towards the confusing state of “Margaik”.You can see the fear clearly,everybody knows margaik will happen.
good article!!!
it is interesting to note as the elections are getting closer apart from multi – front formation, there seems to be lot more focus by political parties to be region specific and create location based manifestos. The multi party system though it provides diversity in representation in the political and government systems, one need to wait how each representation can arrive at consensus on people and region related reforms.
manifestos versus implementation watch will over the years become a good measurable metrics for people itself when they evaluate leaders and their governments.
what one would like to see an evolution of 2 party system at the national level and at a regional level party that can establish majority in bringing reforms with lot more conviction balancing state-national interest.