Looks like the prospects of a hung parliment just got better with the breakup of BJP & BJD in Orissa. A third alliance is also looming large to split the verdict further & ensure this.

With so many regional parties, it sure looks like we are going to have a govt without any teeth & always under surgery, assuming of course that a party can form a govt at the centre, amidst all the horse-trading that is in the offing !

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

The poll issues for voters in Karnataka and Bangalore are the same as the rest of India -- governance reforms, of making the government more accountable to challenges and problems of economic growth and security facing our nation and people.

We also prefer a government that will accelerate devolution of financial powers to states, & one that will give Bangalore special status and investments like Mumbai.

See:   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/This-is-about-future-of-India/articleshow/4236676.cms

 

I just got my latest voter's id (the previous had errors). The process has been somewhat streamlined now & I got done at the BBMP office in 15 minutes flat !

var RN = new String (Math.random()); var RNS = RN.substring (2,11); b2 = '<iframe src=\"http://adstil.indiatimes.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_sx.ads/www.timesofindia.com/TOI_Cities/index.html/1'+RNS+'@Right3?\" WIDTH=250 HEIGHT=250 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 hspace=0 vspace=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no bordercolor=\"#000000\"> </iframe>'; if (doweshowbellyad==1) bellyad.innerHTML = b2;

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

This issue is like pulling teeth or teaching mathematics to school children. We need to find a way to get people to be more interested in the outcomes of issues and elections. I believe putting our list to the candidates will make them aware of our priorities. It may look like a hopeless task but once the candidates are engaged they will definitely take action. Candidates today are far better than the yesteryears. They know with the kind of information sharing that happens today thru visual media and internet they have no place to hide.

We have to demand accountability else we cant blame them. Especially when they are publically asking for us to participate in governance.

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

Go by what party manifestos and later when it was tailored to coalition something else?

I like this one. After all the careful checking of manifesto etc we find out the coliation govt junks all strategic stuff and goes on a tactical mode based on pulls and pressures. So what exactly did we vote for?

Why do we have hung parliaments? are we so divided on issues? Is there no clear differentiators between the parties? Is everybody claiming to the do the same things? So whoever comes we will do only what will be done? What are we getting sold on?

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

"IF THE GOOD PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS BECAUSE ONLY BAD PEOPLE ARE IN POLITICS, THEN THE GOOD PEOPLE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO BE RULED BY THE BAD PEOPLE"   - Shatrugna Sinha, Actor-turned-politician

How True, Indeed !

All the more reason why we must take much more interest in politics & elections & exercise our rights to vote.

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

 It was very heartening to read a news item that major muslim scholars have openly came out to exhort the muslim community for voting. What is more complelling is the statements like "...Voting is a fundamental right. It must be exercised by every Muslims.It is their responsibility. If someone is not voting then he or she is doing wrong," 

 "http://www.indianexpress.com/news/muslims-shouldnt-vote-on-basis-of-religion/432379/"

 I sincerely hope muslims step out and vote sensibly and breakaway from the vote bank shackles.

P. S. Lets treat the message only in the context of encourgaing people to go out and vote

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments

 

• favorite 1 Like
• | login or register to post comments

Thought this will be a good reference to have.

Here is the representation of the same on a map.

• favorite 3 Likes
• | login or register to post comments

I had an interesting discussion offline with a friend. A couple of interesting thoughts I have tried to summarize below

How does going out in numbers and voting going to change the issues on the ground?

The demographics of the voting population matters. Political parties do conduct analysis by constituency as to what type of people are voting. Winnability is important for parties. They will field appropriate candidates who can connect at that level and hold intelligent discussions with the people they engage. If they find a large section of educated middle class voting they will raise appropriate topics during the election.

Why does it help to engage with the candidates? If the candidate has already been decided and the choice I have is between a couple of thugs what good will it do?

Atleast we will get to know what the views of the person are and can expect how he will perform. We will also need to form our post election strategies on how to engage with the thug we voted to further our needs. We also need to let the parties know how we like their choice of candidates. The only way bad candidates thrive is if they can split the voters and target their lobbyists and support group. It is important for citizens to come together and present a united face.

• favorite 0 Like
• | login or register to post comments