The Month of BIG Surprises

Yes, I am talking about the mysterious May. The month proved to be quite unpredictable for most people, especially political analysts. The rout of the BJP and the unanticipated resurgence of the Congress was the talk of the town. Most commentators have declared the results as a anti-reforms mandate, anti-Vajpayee vote, anti-Modi election, and many other incomprehensible terms. However, I believe the results are nothing but a reflection of very good coalition politics by the Congress. They had formidable alliances. And more often than not they played the populist card to best results. The anti-incumbency against the Vajpayee government due to their neglection of the poorest poor also did them in.

But I do feel reforms did not have much to do with the results. Most people in the country and on the voter lists hardly understand what reforms are and how it affects them. Most of all, they are completely ignorant about what gain or harm it can do to them. So, saying that it was an anti-reforms vote would be most prejudiced.

The fact remains that reforms are a must if the government wants to harness the interest among the international community India has generated during the past few years and make India a formidable force in international finance and economics. This is imperative if India has to become a major political force as well, as economic domination is the best form of control, as history has proved time and again.

We can only hope that the new government will pursue policies targeted at reforms and greater investments with the same vigour as the NDA, and P Chidambaram will once again present a dream budged which can help realize APJ Abdul Kalam's Vision 2020.

And last but not the least, we do hope that the government will last the full term. And that the election allainces do not prove mere dalliances.

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"I have a dream" --- only when i'm sleepin'