Response to Economist.com article...

The ground reality in India is different. Post-2004, the so-called reforms have been slowed down. Welfare programmes have come up due to the intervention of the Left parties, particular Communist Party of India(Marxist). For example, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme through which the rural poor gets 100 days of employment in a year. Though many shortcomings are there in the implementation of the scheme, it has given a breathing space to the rural poor.

During the election campaign, the Congress did not campaign on reforms plank. It campaigned saying that they had brought a scheme that gave the employment to the poor. Infact, the Congress should thank the Left parties for having helped them to come back.

Another example is banking sector. Even the people in the government had agreed, the banking sector did not collapse because of the ownership nature. Since the banks are in public sector, unlike the American banks, they have survived the worst world economic crisis.

Congress could capitalist the inaction of the main opposition party, that Bharathiya Janata Party(BJP). They had always side-stepped from the issues that affects the people.

If the Congress deviates from the trend that was set due to the pressure of the Left, they will start losing from the next state election itself.

Goliath wins, temporarily..!!

Mr.M.K.Azhagiri has won the election from Madurai parliamentary constituency. He was pitted against the sitting CPI(M) MP, Com.P.Mohan whose re-election was the choice for many from the temple city. This was the scene upto the day of mass distribution of money to the voters. It is alleged that they have distributed Rs.500 to near about 7 lakhs voters. Apart from this the distribution of sarees etc.. also were there.


This act was strongly resisted by the cadres of CPI(M), AIADMK and other allies. In one day, that is on 5th May night itself, brutal attacks were unleashed against the cadres and 16 of them had to be admitted in the hospital due to serious injuries. This has stopped their further distribution of money. It was widely believed that they had a plan for massive distribution of money on 8th and 11th of May. This could not be done due to vigil actions by the workers of CPI(M), AIADMK and other allies.


The future will not only speak about the victory, but also about the heroic struggle waged by the cadres of CPI(M)and the people of Madurai against the money power. Though many people have accepted the bribe for voting, the Madurai where the political conscience is more had seen the people firmly rejecting the bribe also. There were many in Madurai who felt insulted for being bribed. If the DMK people think that this particular gentleman and his family will not accept the bribe, the money was thrown inside the house. Elders were threatened with dire consequences if they do not accept the money.


Folklore stories are plenty for the Maduraites. They can pass on these to their upcoming generations. Stories like resisting a group of 300 people by a single man from distributing the money and material, few used left hand to press the button instead of right hand and many more like these that includes attempts to remove the fear created by the rowdyism will withstand the time.


A rumour was spread among the Madurai voters that the DMK men have been trained to find out for whom the vote is casted at the polling booth itself. One voter has described his strategy to overcome this. He was told by some people, since the Azhagiri's name figured at the top of the list, if the hand goes down to press the button you will be exposed. He had fear in his mind like others. But he could overcome that. He said, "while my right hand was near the top button, Left hand had quietly pressed the other button". With a long breath, "How many of us have time to devise such strategies...?" he asked.


One elder woman had a different story to tell. Her daughter's father-in-law expired one day prior to the polling date. She had to rush up next morning for two reasons. Though she did not accept the money, she believed that those who have distributed it might have kept in their pockets and informed their masters that the money has been given to all. So, if she does not vote it will be attributed that she had protested. She came back. Second reason is that she really wanted to protest. Hence, she voted for Mohan.


Many young voters have felt like being insulted. They had dissented when their parents accepted money. They hate to hear that there is no alternative. One youth said, "no need of any alternative. The one that is there is the best". He was pointing out that the sitting MP is P.Mohan and there is no need to change that. He saw the positiveness in the manner the CPI(M) and other parties have conducted themselves.


Getting around 3 lakh votes has proved these heroics are not mere stories. It has both blood and muscle. That is why the DMK and its machinery went to an extent, where they themselves have made some material and claimed that this was distributed by the CPI(M). The people, including the staunch DMK supporters, had laughed at this strategy. Such credibility the CPI(M) and its candidate have among the Madurai voters.


When Goliath wins, the general feeling is that they hate the result. When we say David, he does not represent the weak. David is the one who has the wherwithal to bring down Goliath. He is seen as a good. Goliath represents the opposite. He is bad but strong. But his strength lies in his muscle power and not in character. The result of the battle is always as expected. The David wins. This is the result people longing for. But when the Goliath wins, the entire humanity mourns.


Madurai is not in mourning mode. The hate feeling has widened. It may not have been translated as a winning formula for the moment. But, its strength cannot be just washed away. Madurai will once again erupt from the present turmoil.