10-11-2007, 12:15 AM
The Bottom Line | What will Congress show for seeking a fresh poll?
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->But, what issues will the Congress use in seeking a fresh mandate? A successful nuclear deal with the US doesnât work for the party given the esoteric nature of the agreement and the rather long-range benefits for the average voter. Plus it is something that can easily turn on its head as in making the Congress party look like it is in the American camp. Focusing on the âBush is our best friendâ theme is sure to drive away minorities voters in hordes into the fold of other non-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) parties. The anathema toward US President George Bush among Indian Muslims is strong and the Congress partyâs overt attempts to woo them through Sachar Committee-led sops could easily backfire, especially if seen as just election-eve gimmicks.
Nor can the Congress talk about the Leftâs objections to implementing a slew of economic reforms that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanted the government to initiate, for the common man is either not bothered about some of them (like say pension reforms) or is concerned about the impact of others, such as foreign direct investment in, say, retailing.
The party will thus be forced to highlight its record in governance over the last three years and seek a fresh and bigger mandate to run a stable government at the Centre. This gamble hasnât worked for the BJP, which similarly believed that it had an unmatched record in governance in 2004. I wonder if it will work for the Congress.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The second factor that the Congress seems to be oblivious of is the leadership issue, much as the party cadres may display a hysterical make-believe exhilaration over the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as its general secretary.
Far from enthusing the young voters, Gandhiâs projection as prime ministerâeither overtly or covertlyâmay actually work against the partyâs interests.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->But, what issues will the Congress use in seeking a fresh mandate? A successful nuclear deal with the US doesnât work for the party given the esoteric nature of the agreement and the rather long-range benefits for the average voter. Plus it is something that can easily turn on its head as in making the Congress party look like it is in the American camp. Focusing on the âBush is our best friendâ theme is sure to drive away minorities voters in hordes into the fold of other non-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) parties. The anathema toward US President George Bush among Indian Muslims is strong and the Congress partyâs overt attempts to woo them through Sachar Committee-led sops could easily backfire, especially if seen as just election-eve gimmicks.
Nor can the Congress talk about the Leftâs objections to implementing a slew of economic reforms that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanted the government to initiate, for the common man is either not bothered about some of them (like say pension reforms) or is concerned about the impact of others, such as foreign direct investment in, say, retailing.
The party will thus be forced to highlight its record in governance over the last three years and seek a fresh and bigger mandate to run a stable government at the Centre. This gamble hasnât worked for the BJP, which similarly believed that it had an unmatched record in governance in 2004. I wonder if it will work for the Congress.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The second factor that the Congress seems to be oblivious of is the leadership issue, much as the party cadres may display a hysterical make-believe exhilaration over the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as its general secretary.
Far from enthusing the young voters, Gandhiâs projection as prime ministerâeither overtly or covertlyâmay actually work against the partyâs interests.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->