India’s Choice 2009
~ Mithila Rajagopal ‘10
Widely reputed as the world’s largest and greatest democracy, India will be holding its national elections this April, amid economic distress. The tumbling stock markets and the falling value of the rupee give this election period greater significance. To make a decision and make it wisely is crucial, particularly in the face of the plethora of political parties that India usually advertises in its elections. This election is no different – all usual parties – the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party and Communist Party of India (CPI), along with many other smaller groups – are competing. Currently, the government is led by the United Progressive Alliance led by Congress, with the main opposition formed by Nation Democractic Front led by BJP. It remains to be seen whether Congress will be able to hold their seats in government for the next five years as well. With the Mumbai attacks still very much in peoples’ minds, the situation does not bode well for Congress. It is taken for granted that no political party will be able to win this election single handedly and coalition groups must be formed. The intriguing play out of the elections of 2009 will tell us who will support whom in this dog eat dog race for the Indian government.
The parties are contesting with much vigor in the general elections scheduled to be held from April 16th through May 13th. The ruling party, Congress, has appropriated the rights to ‘Jai Ho’, Slumdog Millionaire’s oscar-winning song, directed by A.R. Rehman. Congress plans to play this song, which translates to ‘Be Victorious’, at rallies and in commercials leading up to national elections. BJP, frustrated that Congress purchased exclusive rights to political exploitation of the song, has taken to condemning the progress or lack thereof of the Congress in the areas of slums saying that “If it were not for Congress misrule for the last 60 years, there would be no slums and then no slumdog (film) and no Oscar,” Digital media is taking on new proportions as political parties have started to use mobile-to-mobile messaging services like SMS and MMS in campaigns. Radios and television stations, even cricket matches have come into the grips of political passions as campaigns are aired frequently in many channels.
In targeting the youth and using latest technology and popular music, the political parties hope to follow in US President Barack Obama’s successful footsteps. They are aiming for a larger turnout in the youth voting population while the youth in India remains largely ambivalent. Distaste for government policies because of ineffectiveness, insensitivity and slow bureaucracy has left the youth disenchanted with the workings of the elections. Despite its flaws however, India remains a democracy and every vote still does count.
Whatever the case for each political party’s vested interest in the matter, it is imperative every voice gets heard – so go out and vote in India’s elections 2009! Then perhaps results on May 16th will herald a new era for India.