12-16-2003, 01:49 AM
<b>BJP MLAs get techno-savvy </b>
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) may be a saffron party proclaiming allegiance to temples and sadhus, but its members are just as hi-tech as anyone else you can find on the political firmament.
Nowhere is this more visible than in Rajasthan politics, where the generational change is bringing forth a breath of fresh air into the corridors of power.
From the young Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who ran a hi-tech campaign in the assembly elections with the help of computers, telephones and even SMS messaging, to the new breed of MLAs, everyone seems techno-savvy giving hope that the new generation of BJP politicians would use 'technology mantra' for development rather than the 'mandir card' for consolidating gains in Rajasthan.
They may be representing some of the most arid or backward regions in the country, but are comfortable with mobiles, notepads and laptops. Eager to play a decisive role in the state politics as well as project a people friendly, no-nonsense persona of their own, many have discarded the 'silly dhoti kurta or pajama' for clean cut safari suits and designer jeans.
Most of the 53 first time MLAs of the BJP's team of 120 elected legislative members are in their forties.
<b>Despite their vastly different backgrounds, most of the young path breakers wish to break the stereotype notions about politicians, which Gajendra Singh, first time BJP MLA from Nagaur, sums up as a desire for making a change for the better. Says Gajendra, "I have studied in the best of universities and I just felt that life is just not leisure. Good people have to come out into politics otherwise politics is never going to improve." </b>
<b>In spite of his qualifications, Gajendra opines in chaste Hindi just as another first time BJP Jat MLA from Mundwa, Usha Punia waxes eloquently in English. Bristling with energy as well as facts and figures of her area, Usha feels nothing has been done for the last 50 years and she stepped into the political arena "since I wanted to do something for women and children". </b>
Seeing the young brigade, it would not be wrong to conclude that while the BJP was able to carve a victory with young faces, the Congress lost the assembly elections because it gave tickets to most of its veteran, sitting MLAs.
<b>Noticing the large scale influx of young blood, senior party leader and Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh could not help commenting that "the Prime Minister as well as Advaniji are aware that Rajasthan has a new breed of politicians who are raring with bright ideas for development." </b>
As Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje plans for a power point presentation of her vision document for the state, one hopes the 'young brigade' would expend energy on vital issues of bread and butter rather than wasting their time on trishuls and mandirs.
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) may be a saffron party proclaiming allegiance to temples and sadhus, but its members are just as hi-tech as anyone else you can find on the political firmament.
Nowhere is this more visible than in Rajasthan politics, where the generational change is bringing forth a breath of fresh air into the corridors of power.
From the young Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who ran a hi-tech campaign in the assembly elections with the help of computers, telephones and even SMS messaging, to the new breed of MLAs, everyone seems techno-savvy giving hope that the new generation of BJP politicians would use 'technology mantra' for development rather than the 'mandir card' for consolidating gains in Rajasthan.
They may be representing some of the most arid or backward regions in the country, but are comfortable with mobiles, notepads and laptops. Eager to play a decisive role in the state politics as well as project a people friendly, no-nonsense persona of their own, many have discarded the 'silly dhoti kurta or pajama' for clean cut safari suits and designer jeans.
Most of the 53 first time MLAs of the BJP's team of 120 elected legislative members are in their forties.
<b>Despite their vastly different backgrounds, most of the young path breakers wish to break the stereotype notions about politicians, which Gajendra Singh, first time BJP MLA from Nagaur, sums up as a desire for making a change for the better. Says Gajendra, "I have studied in the best of universities and I just felt that life is just not leisure. Good people have to come out into politics otherwise politics is never going to improve." </b>
<b>In spite of his qualifications, Gajendra opines in chaste Hindi just as another first time BJP Jat MLA from Mundwa, Usha Punia waxes eloquently in English. Bristling with energy as well as facts and figures of her area, Usha feels nothing has been done for the last 50 years and she stepped into the political arena "since I wanted to do something for women and children". </b>
Seeing the young brigade, it would not be wrong to conclude that while the BJP was able to carve a victory with young faces, the Congress lost the assembly elections because it gave tickets to most of its veteran, sitting MLAs.
<b>Noticing the large scale influx of young blood, senior party leader and Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh could not help commenting that "the Prime Minister as well as Advaniji are aware that Rajasthan has a new breed of politicians who are raring with bright ideas for development." </b>
As Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje plans for a power point presentation of her vision document for the state, one hopes the 'young brigade' would expend energy on vital issues of bread and butter rather than wasting their time on trishuls and mandirs.