I am being asked by many folks over the last few days, what now? The BJP, the party I have huge ideological differences with, and Modi, the man I have even bigger issues with, have swept the polls (at least in terms of seats won). They have also completely demolished the opposition, from the ossified Congress to the nascent AAP. Firstly, I am getting tired of the doomsday prophecies, and the calls to oppose the new government ideologically (a pompous claim, since once the vote is cast, opposition of this sort is no more than a FB debate.) Heres what I see - first the short of it: the only party I still resonate with remains the AAP. Its leadership, its language and its long term vision. So, yes, lessons learnt, time to move on. For me, time to do more, get more involved. Just donating money wont do. Delhi elections are ahead, where the AAP actually incresed its vote share by a huge 5%. While the anti-incumbency and anti-UPA feelings mattered in the LS elections, on local issues I expect the mandate to be very different. The AAP, IMO, remains the only real chance for India to change and prosper. Not just the rent-seekers looking for bonuses, but everyone up and down the stream. On the longer term matters, I also believe that for a country to mature, it needs to experiment. We are just 65 years old, when compared to many others. An infant in historical terms. So, it is good to figure out what works and discard what doesnt. After six decades of left/left-of-centre governance, it is time for the right. Repugnant as the idea might seem, it is an essential growing pain, a rite of passage. I believe we will reject it, in the long run. But till then, it is here. So, lets see what Mr.Modi does. About 180 million Indians feel he can change things, at least for them. I am neither running off to Pakistan (as if they will have me!) Nor am I converting to Moodiwattery. But yes, we have to respect the mandate. We have to give him the time and space to make elephants fly and cats turn vegetarian. Or at least build the 100 cities, connect the rivers (without environmental damage) and bring in the bullet trains. This is the time to deliver, and APCO cant help any more... This doesnt mean Im becoming a Modi fan (not in this life, thank you). I have complete disdain for the BJPs gonad-driven Hindu-supremacist ideology and a deep dislike and distrust for Mr.Modis policies and politics. But hey, this is India. We have survived Mongol raids and British exploitation. Many obituaries have been written, and we have shown the middle finger and moved past. This too shall pass. Or stay. Or morph into something Indian. Like a tandoori pizza. Till then, eat your steak, drink your beer, shop at Carrefour and party with your gay friends. Lifes too short, and the lifespan of all of the above may be shorter! Cheers...
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 04:24:19 +0000
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