The stage is set for a clash of the titans in 2014. India will have its eyes on the IPL - Indian Political League - that boasts of a Hindu Nationalist and Youth Icon as favourites for the final showdown. It has generated an excitement which would be matched perhaps only by a World Cup final. Narendra Modi, a king at home but an enigma on the national sphere, is often dubbed the destroyer of secularism by many. Nevertheless, he is the final hope in this faltering economy and failing democracy. With Gujarat touching heights in growth, the ghost of 2002, the oppositions bait for political points, still haunts the man. Strangely enough, in a country plagued by security, education and economic concerns, polarisation directs the sail. The rare unity of every other party during Modi-bashing exposes the reigning panic. Ironically, they are equally guilty of vote-bank politics. When the TMC was busy chasing TATA out, Modi welcomed the firm, not only highlighting the pro-business attitude but also the swiftness in decision-making. Taking the horror of 2002 to American shores is a testimony that the political adversaries are taking him seriously. Begging the USA to deny him visa is plain desperation to prove secular credentials. The runway is still not clear although NDA is tipped for a comeback. According to the CSDS Election Tracker for CNN-IBN and The Hindu, Modi leads Rahul Gandhi by 19% votes to 12% in the choice for PM. Contrary to this, Rahul Gandhi leads Modi by 37% to 17% in the South, where coalition politics has a huge say. In the Poll Projection by C-Voter for Times Now and India TV, NDA stands atop with an estimated 156 seats. Modi, unsurprisingly, leads the choice for PM with 37.7%. However, with the National parties losing ground, regional parties like SP, BSP, AIADMK and TMC are likely to have a big say. Crucially, they are cautious against aligning with the man carrying the dent of communalism. Logically, the average Indian voter should think beyond the golden words - communalism and secularism. While NaMo has declared himself a Hindu Nationalist, interpretation left open, the Congress has taken a gamble by indirectly trying to dispute the Indian Mujahideens role. Yet, with the Rupee above 60 for a Dollar, a joke on poverty by the 5-Rupee trio and hasty measures like the Food Security Bill, the Congress has lost its plot. BJP may be struggling for allies but the C-Voter Poll Projection reflects Good Governance as the main criterion for the Indian voter today. The nail biting climax of the 2014 Governance vs. Secularism race is much awaited. After ten years of disappointment, there is hope for reform. With Rahul Gandhi having no vision, Manmohan Singh lacking control, Nitish Kumar snapping ties, Mulayam Singh never considered and Mayawati just a contender on paper, NaMo seems to be the best bet to steer the nation beyond ideological differences. He is the key to the dark room locked by scams and corruption.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:02:22 +0000
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