Election Results 2009 : Answer to Opportunist politics

From the results of general election 2009 it is very clear that people have rejected opportunist politics. The likes of Lalu, Paswan, Mulayam who were trying to go for a hard bargain in the cost of public votes will fight for their existence now(though Mulayam managed to get some seats his effect is definitely fading). People have also rejected the day-dreamers like Pawar, Mayawati, Jayalalitha, Naidu and Devegowda. Some other conclusions that can be drawn:

- People have rejected Left's old-fashioned politics. People want growth and they know growth cannot be achieved by protectionism in this globalised world. People wanted to move from Left but they didn't have an option in WB. Though Mamta Banerjee is not a Messiah, they have found an option and want to give her a trial.

- "Perform or Perish" was the message from some of the states like Bihar, Delhi and Rajasthan.

- Voters of many states are still in the hangover of Assembly elections and they see their CM's rather than PM's vision when they cast their votes. CG, Karnataka, Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar and to some extent MP are examples of that.

- The Modi factor didn't work for BJP simply because he tried to teach educated and urban people while voters live in rural villages. He was also busy campaigning for 2014 election rather that 2009.

- On the other hand, declaring Manmohan as PM candidate and almost projecting Rahul as 2014 has worked for Congress. Though declaring leaders are not in the culture of Congress, I think they should learn from this election and apply the same in the state assembly elections.

- In-fight between BJP leaders gave them a very less chance to prepare a strategy for the elections. Inspite of trying to win this election first they were trying to win their own internal battles.

- The decision of fighting alone in UP clicked and I must say Congress was fearful enough to fight alone while they are capable enough to get more seats in fighting alone than fighting as ally with any other party. From the next election Congress should fight alone in all states and always go for post poll alliances. Pre poll is good for partied like BJP as they have the risk of dividing votes and also in the states where they don’t have any hopes like TN, WB etc.

- In Mumbai particular, MNS getting more votes should not be taken lightly; and it needs to be thought thoroughly. In some or other ways these results prove his points. His ability to convert anger into votes is serious cause of concern while the actual problem(which Raj converted into his own politics) of inflow in Mumbai needs to be addressed.

- At last I pay my homage to the political career of George Fernandes. He was a hero at his times and has contributed to Indian politics in his own way. A politician with such a high stature did not deserve such a bad treatment from Nitish Kumar.