THE MIDDLE CLASS - ARISE AND AWAKE

Voter turnout in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi is hitting new lows. Hardly 40 % of those residing in cities cast their votes. Delving further, the polling percentage in lower class areas is found to be very high whereas in many middle class locality it is even less than twenty percentage. A typical middle class person cribs about the fact the sorry state of affairs and the indifferent attitude of the politicians. Be it a pothole on the road, overcrowding in suburban trains, infrequent bus services and water less taps, he cribs and blame the politicians.

Even after 50 years of independence, bijli, sadak and pani are the main election issues. Ideally, social security, universal health schemes and external policy should have been the planks on which elections should have been fought but free colour TV'S, free cycle are the planks.

On election eve, 500 rupee notes, wine bottles, free sarees are doled out to the poor to woo them. They also express their gratitude by turning out in large numbers and casting vote to their bribers. What is the middle class doing? Sitting in home and watching mega serials and game shows!!!! Truly a sad state!!! I am not asking the middle class people to chop the trees, block road traffic or throw eggs and acids!! All i want you guys to do is just cast your vote!!

This could make a huge difference. Remember there are some 85 urban constituencies where the middle class is the deciding factor. If you guys turn out in large numbers, you can rewrite the annals of history!! There is no point crying over the spilt milk. I am sure you guys will not be taken for a ride!!

Mandate 2009

It's again festival time for Indian Democracy. With just 10 months to go for the elections, the countdown has begun. Who will be the next Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy? Will the eternal no 2 Advani become the no 1? or Will Rahul Gandhi continue the Nehru family tradition of leading the country? or A surprise in store for us - an unexpected hitherto lesser known candidate ( Remember IK Gujral and HD Dewe Gowda) walk through the corridors of power in South Block?

With victories in Gujarat, Karnataka and HP, BJP seems to be marching towards Redfort. Sky rocketing food and crude prices, a double digit inflationary figure and not so impressive track record of UPA make the BJP the front runner. But much depends on the outcome of the assembly elections to be held in Rajasthan, MP, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. TINA factor might work in favour of BJP in MP and Chattisgarh. Rajasthan is an acid-test for the saffron party. Caste equations are bound to change as a result of Gujjar stir. A clear picture is yet to emerge on how these equations are expected to change? If BJP manages to retain power in these states, there is a very good chance that they might cross the 160 mark on their own in the Lok Sabha elections. NDA in that scenario might win 250-260 seats.

Mayawati is expected to win around 40 seats. Mulayam might win 20 odd seats. BJP needs the support of either of the parties to form a government. Or a third front government supported by either Congress or BJP is also a possibility. If BJP lose the states of Rajasthan and MP, then India is headed for a period of instability. Situation akin to 1996 would arise as a result of the fractured mandate. At this crucial juncture, instability would severely affect the Indian economy. We need to continue with the economic reforms. It would be in the interest of the country, if a government is formed sans left support, headed by either of the two big national parties. So. it's for the people to decide whether they need a pro- reform government or an anti-reform government.