Poll-i-tickle

Elections in India is an event on its own. Forget a mere event, it is a festival with its own grandeur. There is a deity or atleast a person with a God like status and people at large trying to make the most out of it. For some people its the contentment of taking the right decision while for some it is grabbing the right opportunity with both hands and making a quick buck or two.

In the recent past, India was gripped in election fever as five Indian states embarked on a polling spree. While Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh n Chattisgarh walked hand in hand, a slightly subdued Mizoram followed suit. When the exit polls and further on the results peeped out, India spoke and how. Sweeping victories for BJP and Congress not even in a 'state' to play second fiddle. Highlight though was a BAAP performance by AAP. A not so AAM performance by the Aam Aadmi Party !!

Delhi saw the emergence of a new power - people's power. More than giving people's party a chance the main agenda seemed to be not giving Congress another term. BJP quietly slid in and made the most of this tug of war for power. Even though selecting a chief ministerial candidate was decided at the eleventh hour but BJP look to have the last laugh. On the contrary Dixit madam looked out of sorts and the agenda was made to look as silly as Indian batsmen on South African pitches. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Kerjiwal proved to be the one wearing the pants in the end. Now the whole of India knows what was he exactly doing during his absence from India against corruption. But frankly speaking, AAP has achieved a whole lot even with minimal resources that they should just savour the moments. Sit in the opposition and challenge the ruling party with the policies. An excellent battle ground for getting your army strengthened for the picture five years hence. Its a simple equation, if with this AAP can achieve this then imagine the scenario post five years. Mr. Kejriwal is here to stay. Till then let Harshavardhan safeguard the seat for you.

Rajasthan saw a different picture altogether. Vasundhara Raje led BJP sweeping all the seats and leaving Congress just a few scraps. Guess the voters didn't get fed enough Dal Baati Churmas, instead they got fed up of these feeders for votes. 

Madhya Pradesh saw the winning ways for Shivraj Chouhan and more importantly technology. For an election campaign studded with social media and rallies embarked upon 3D live technology, its fitting that Mr. Chouhan gives a winning pose a la Steve Jobs. Hindustan ka dil dekho, haath se chutth gaya !!

Chattisgarh was still very close to call but eventually saw new lotus blooming in the assembly lakes. BJP however should look to improve its knowledge about India's geography. They seem to totally forget about Mizoram or maybe thought that Congress should get something. How gracious of them !!

But the spotlight was Delhi and now with not a single party getting majority scenario looks even more awkward. Congress with as low as 8 seats could sit as ruling party if they play their cards right. BJP inspite of the good work could sit in opposition, maybe its just their trait. And AAP can embrace other partners just to make a government, the same people whom their pre election propaganda was based on. 

In the end we would just say, let's say yes to NOTA and get the Presidents rule !!

Split Wide Open ..

After years of protests and determination shown by the people, finally the far fetched dream seems to come to a reality. Indian National Congress declared that a separate state of Telangana will come into existence within 5 or 6 months from now. The proposed new state corresponds to the Telugu-speaking portions of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad.

The decision looked so causal as if it was decided by a coin toss. Thank goodness it came as Tails and not heads otherwise Headangana would have been weird. Thus Telangana was born. Telangana primarily consists of the districts north of the original Andhra Pradesh and dwells the capital Hyderabad. People have shown all sorts of agitations: Against formation of Telangana, against division of Andhra Pradesh, against loss of assets and even against the degrading quality of biryani in the top restaurants in Banjara Hills area. Top leaders have already showed their opposition with withdrawals from running the state government and even from Rajya Sabha. The main point of backing their opposition is that the new state will not be developed and will take a lot of time to be right up there. Numerous other points follow. But there are other things at stake as well.

Losing out on the typical Hyderabadi biryani is too much. I for one will go on strike too if I am deprived of all the Deccani eateries around. As for Charminar, I dont think will be much of a problem. Its simple, build eight minars or get ready to lose out on tourism money. The big question for this silver screen savy country is where will Tollywood move. The second biggest film industry after Bollywood is divided as to where to shift its loyalty. While majority of the studios are in Telangana but control of audience might be more in Andhra Pradesh or the future Seemandhra. New releases might come into jeopardy with big money at stake.

The geography plays a cruel game on Seemandhra. Take out Telangana and the state looks like the male reproductive organ. Now we get it that when the division happened who the Tom was and who became the Dick. Harry felt left out maybe he will stage a strike or revolt like the numerous groups and sects occupying Seemandhra. 

Telengana is not an isolated incidence. Many follow up similar cases have arised. Gorkhaland from West Bengal, Harit Pradesh from UP, Bodoland from Assam and Vidarbha from Maharashtra are just the ones top of peoples minds. 

Gorkhaland is something whch the residents of Darjeeling and surrounding areas want a separate state of their own for better running of affairs and protect Gorkha identity. The movement longs back as old as 1907 but could not gain momentum to explore the issue. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is looking for prompt solutions but face opposition from in rule Trinamool Congress. Sudden movement in Telangana will give impetus to this cause as well. How often do you see only one fast food stall run in pomp ? The neighbouring stalls do quick business as well with nearly the same recipe. Get the point.

Bodoland is a demand of a similar movement to protect identity of Bodos which has been started in 1987 proclaiming 32 tribal belts and blocks on northen Bramhaputra as their own wonderland. Bodoland Peoples front is the body at the helm but face similar opposition as others. Here the main point is that once Bodoland is created, will the attrocities of various Bodo terror outfits stop ?

Vidarbha is already separated on cricketing grounds from Maharashatra and now might even look to go its separate ways on the politicial front. People of Vidarbha want a place of their own where no one is neglected and not stay in the shadows of political bigwigs running the state out of Mumbai. But this is not as easy as it sounds. Congress will hinder any advances for a separate Vidarbha simply for the fact that they need Vidarbha and their leaders for a sound majority and belittle NCP as well as opposition. As for opposition, BJP is pro Vidarbha but is that a mere opposition pre election gimmick, only time will tell. One cannot however dispute the fact that there is not enough leadership to drive the Vidarbha independence movement simply for the fact that it wont have stayed untouched for 40 years now. How many laymen have heard Vidarbha apart from farmer suicides and Umesh Yadav ?? More than political parties, individuals who genuinely feel for the cause should come together and drive it otherwise it will just be a Hollywood movie in Indian theatres .. talked about in the first week, wiped off in the second.

We all have learnt it one way or the other that sequels never work. Be it KBC or even MMS government. Only debarment to it being Tushar Kapoor and that was simply cause he was mute and the Eehhs and Ohhs were more funny than words. On a high level Telanagana was a hit with its motive but the other so called sequels around the country will have a tall order to go against. Maybe we can request Rohit Shetty to direct this cause, forget independence maybe we might see a couple of cars in the air and go back home with over 100 crores.

The Modi-fied Elections

From the land of Dandi march this certain Mr. Modi gave a big 'Danda' to the Congress and established his supremacy over the state of Gujarat. Narendra Modi got elected for his third successive term thereby celebrating a hat trick of wins. BJP won 115 seats in the 182 seat assembly but 2 seats short of their victory in 2007. This was the third win under the leadership of Modi but will Modi be there in Gujarat the next time around is a big question. The man set to be the next in line for the Prime Minister of the country, will he stick around in his state rather than going for the big prize ?? That we will see in the next episode of Indian Politics Season 4 presented by Fevicol and Zandu Balm !!

But till then there were celebrations and celebrations galore. The oath taking ceremony had a starcast of its own. Some media reports suggested that even Suraj Barjatiya was awed by the ensemble and wants to replicate the same in his next movie. All the top BJP and NDA leaders made their presence felt and yes Vivek Oberoi was there too. Come on, the guy deserves a special mention. It evolved as a promenade for exchanging notes on the direction of Indian politics and yes some basic minuscule gossip as well.

What followed was a showpiece investment meeting with all the top guns of India Inc. The Ambanis, The Tatas, The Roys and the Adanis were present. Its like taking corporate attendance and each one shouting 'Present teacher'. The program suitably monikered Vibrant Gujarat 2013 but should have actually been called the Modi show !! Not to forget delegates form various companies from the first World countries also made their presence felt.

But the overall picture is very happy and everyone is upbeat about the future. There were huge celebrations in Gujarat. Even the Gujjus in Mumbai organized grand morning parties of jalebi and fafda to commemorate this feat followed by Surati Undhiyo. Dalal street swung to the chants of 'One Mr. Modi' and the industrialists and businessmen developed investo-gasms. Please dont even get me started on the Germans and the Japanese. If one has a penchant for English grammar then this can be put as Gujarat happy, India happier and Japan/Germany happiest !!

So for now its time to dance .. not the Dandiya .. its time for Oppa Gujarat Style !!

Thats the last to be heard from yours truly .. well this year !! Dont get so happy !! We meet next year .. until then Happy New Year !!