Opinions (5 things - Week 59)

I guess the whole process of buying a computer (or any other luxurious electronic device for that matter) represents all that is wrong with us humans.

We don't like configuration of one, the price of another, the service provided by a third. And when finally something compels you to fixate on one finally, you start having all these thoughts about whether this is going to be the right one for you. Then you go ahead and buy something, making many a sacrifice in demands. And then you start having regrets about your decision. That's when the company you brought from, decides to bring out a laptop, with your desired configuration at a reasonable price. But inspite of all this, it is only after a few years into its usage, that you would finally realize whether you made the right choice.

I believe that applies to the current situation we are in, in terms of the political scenario in India. A single party has won the minimum required majority in the Lok Sabha. It was something I always wanted to happen, as one of the main excuses laid out to explain the stuttering development in this nation has been the influence of regional parties.

Now, a single party can take the decision and lead us on. "To where?" is a very valid question. And "By whom?" is another.

My friends, who have done their MBA, usually talk about the need for all of us to market ourselves. And that is what I personally feel has happened in India right now. What Obama did in the first US Presidential elections has been made as a blueprint for the success of Mr.Narendra Modi in this round of general elections in India.

The reach of social media has been effectively used to alter the image of a man, who many held (still holds) in contempt about the 2002 riots. The crowd's opinion has been turned right around, so much so that to have doubts about him is considered to be criminal. All such doubts will result in the supporters giving out a long list of court and national level investigations finding him to be innocent.

Anyways, a debate on him is not the purpose of this blog. It is just to let the general public know that everyone is entitled to an opinion, some of which aren't mainstream. The past few months have seen torrential attacks on such non-mainstream opinions. And it is those non-mainstream opinions of yours truly that are going to get listed as the "5 things" for this week.

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1. There is a need for a single party to assume power at the central, and for them to have capable opposition players. The logic behind this is that this would lead to better governance and development.

The first part of this logic has come true, but I'm not yet convinced about the latter. The rest of the seats have been split up into little, tiny pieces, and the squabbling among them might result in the loss of the whole purpose of an opposition.

2. A capable man should lead from the front.

Now, this is where the main problem begins. There are always detractors to anything good that you do, people who claim that it was all luck, a fraud, or something in kind. In the midst of all this, I'm yet to be convinced of him. I would like to stop you before you start reeling out the numbers about development in Gujarat. I'll believe the numbers once it starts working on a national basis.

3. No, all this alleged 'bias' is not because I'm supporting another party.

I've my reservations about each and every party. Like I've mentioned before, AAP was the only party I thought I could support in its morals, but the second they took the support of one main stream parties, they became just that for me. And from the results from Delhi, I guess that is the view the people of Delhi took too.

Again, I come from a state which lets the reins of governance switch between the two political fronts of Communism and Congress. When we get fed up with one, we give the other a chance. Sadly, this is a continuous cycle. So, it's not like I have a history of supporting a single party.

4. Issues.

There are a lot of issues that I would like the Government to tackle successfully. Concentrated economic development, lack of employment opportunities, Biased reservation quotas, Corruption, etc are, but a few of those. I hope that at least some of them gets a look at by this Government.

5. It is the most eligible individual you should vote for, and that should not be based on party, caste or anything not related to his performance in the public domain.

A battle was won though the war was lost. Just what happened with the election results in my city.

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So, what is the final verdict? This is not a scenario that I'm comfortable with. But it is something all of us are stuck with for now. So, let's hope for the best. And I would just love to be proved wrong in my doubts and apprehensions about this government.

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On a lighter note, most of the Keralites would be waiting with bated breath, hoping that they wouldn't have to ask the following question.

It reads "What?!? There won't be any more beef fry from now on?"

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Well, that's all for this week.

Hope you have a great weekend. Meet you in the comment sections, if you are interested.

'til next week.

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UPDATE
(BECAUSE MY PARENTS THINK PEOPLE WOULD COME FOR ME, BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T INTERPRET IT THE WAY I WANTED IT TO BE)

I"m NOT, in any sense alleging, that he is not what he claims to be. I'm NOT claiming that he is responsible for the riots. I'm just saying that he has his own share of troubled past, and people should keep their hopes in check. If the scams and the corruptions are the allegations against the erstwhile leaders, his past is the albatross that he is wearing. And hopefully, for the good of the nation, it'll be something he'll be able to get rid of in the coming years.