Can Karnataka Lead India?
Posted : May 13, 2008 at 9:23 pm [IST]
I am looking at Karnataka assembly election with a big hope. As it is one of the most progressive of the southern states, the stake is high. Unfortunately, till SM Krishna was at the helm, the image of governance in the state was pretty good. But after the fragmented mandate in the last election, the situation is pretty fluid. In the politics of the state, there has been the emergence of a villain. Without a reason, he thinks himself bigger than any individual in Karnataka, as by default he sat on the highest political chair of India. The story of this family, like many in other states too, shows how with time some family becomes a royal one with lot of money accumulated in short time of reign to fight election. As per the media, Kumarswamy, the chief minister for a short duration, has got his assets multiplied many fold and today it’s worth more than Rs 50 crores as per the affidavit for the election Commission. It is the same family that is responsible for the downgrade of Banglore or Bangaluru from its top IT city. The head of the family obstructed all the infrastructure projects including the expressway connecting Bangalore with Mysore that could have changed the economy of the region from poverty to prosperity.
Will the caste and community play the major role here too? Will the educated and intelligent Karnataka voters vote correctly? Will they provide a clear mandate to one political party, preferably one of the two national parties contesting there? Or will the state have to live with an undisciplined coalition or uncertainty again up to 2013?
In the battlefield of Karnataka Mahabharat, many ‘maharathis’ are participating to get a victory of their side. Rahul Gandhi, the heir apparent, is on test. Narendra Modi is also exploring if he can prove himself as all-India stuff. Congress is naturally depending on the charisma of Sonia Gandhi if it clicks. I don’t know if L.K. Advani can impress the people of south. Mulayam Singh and Mayawati are doing their best to be the spoilers for one or the other of the national parties, if not for the third one. Has the battle for Delhi begun? Will the verdict be any way indicative?
I don’t know why I feel bad when I read anything bad about the state and particularly Banglore. Perhaps it is due to my interest in history, Hampi and Tipu Sultan as well as HMT, BFW, and IISc. I used to regularly visit Bangalore for business trips, seminars and factory visits. I have a number of friends there in OP, Makhija and Anil. I remember talking to the drivers about the politics of the states. They used to be really well informed.
I wish the people of Karnataka provided a lesson to the rest of the country by giving a clear mandate to one of the national political parties. That is absolutely essential for a powerful India.
- Indra
Category: Indian politics |
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