I think BJP hasn't lost much. However, it has lost one state, Rajastan. Congress hasn't lost anything. It gained one state. In Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, people have restored their old governments. They voted for their seemingly "strong" leaders.
Situation in Rajastan was different. Anti-incumbancy mood was slightly visible among the electorate in this state. Moreover, Vasundhara Raje had many dissidents inside the party. In-fighting, caste politics and her own "egoistic" image, all contributed to the defeat of BJP there. But the party has managed to secure "respectable" number of seats.
Since 2004, the Congress party was on a losing spree. With the gain of Rajastan, it has now got a little push. But it is too early to celebrate. But the party has already started projecting Rahul Gandhi as an "architect" of its victory!
That is far from the truth.
If Congress wins anywhere, he takes the credit for himself. If it is defeated anywhere, then it is the "collective responsibility of all leaders"!
Rahul hasn't proved anything. Right from Uttar Pradesh, he had failed in every state he campainned except Rajastan. But the sycophants of the Sonia Gandhi dynasty are in upbeat mood.
Sonia and Rahul still need to explain why they could not grab Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh from BJP. In these states the Congress has fared very badly.
After these results, it is curious to observe how 81 years old L.K. Advani of BJP appeals to young voters in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. His personal charisma and integrity haven't suffered a bit over the years. But on the capability front he is yet to prove himself as "a new iron man". His policies about terrorism, economy, foreign relations are yet to be announced. Many see relatively young Narendra Modi as a good replacement to Advani. He is emerging as a popular mass-leader. But, Narendra Modi has many enemies inside the party than outside of it. And also, he is the protege of Advani. When Advani is still active, his elevation to the top job is unthinkable.
(C) G. ANIL KUMAR 2008.
I so agree with u, hate to see everybody in the congress behave like they have no spine and that rahul and sonia gandhi are equivalent to God.
ReplyDeletei liked your point that any victory its always attributed to rahul gandhis great skills (ummm just what those are nobody knows yet....we r waiting)and any defeat thyey distance corwn prince rahul from it as far as possible. ugggh that attitude stinks.