Youth should take charge
I believe the upcoming elections in India promise to be a game changer as the world’s second most populous nation decides on its leaders for the upcoming term occupying the highest positions in the country.
After 67 years of freedom the conundrum of how the people of India have made galactic strides in the field of technology and development, with limited resources, is an achievement of the greatest measure.
Vying for the top spot in parliament are the two of the oldest parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, now being challenged by the new Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), whose leader is viewed as a firebrand in his own right.
In a world where change is the inherent need for progress and education has been revolutionised, I cannot seem to imagine electing candidates whose portfolios in government have been juggled and shuffled from state to state achieving the same results. We call out for the educated youth of India to take charge and move India’s development forward.
From Mr Gregory.G.Gomes
Dubai
There is hope
The political frenzy that is visible in India is arriving at its final stage as the country goes to polls. Before the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress and the BJP were hoping for victory in the coming elections. But the scenario seems unpredictable for both leading parties after the recent appearance of AAP. The newly founded party tried to address issues faced by ordinary people, which gave them immense popularity and wide support of the public overnight! Even the experienced politicians and veterans of the game have minimal confidence in their usually supportive constituencies today. The main party tries to form alliances with any regional parties, in hopes of gaining more power, and bestows all supporters’ demands to assure continuous power.
I would say that in India the most aggravating political problem is corruption. None of the parties or their elected leaders is prepared to address this major issue that directly affects the common welfare of the public. Gone are the days when party supporters beg for the votes for certain candidates. In most of the literate areas in India, people have started to refuse to vote in addition to openly expressing their dislike towards this method. But, unfortunately, in many villages in India people fall for the political schemes set by leaders and follow them blindly.
However, advancements in telecoms and communication have helped educate the masses and this election has left India hopeful of a brighter future and a reliable government.
From Ms Lakshmi Menon
Sharjah
Stability?
The party to win the elections will be one that is able to strike strong coalition alliances with other regional parties. The question at hand is can the winning party stitch a stable coalition to govern the country for the next five years or will the bickering over plum cabinet posts ruin any efforts for advancement?
From Mr Aravind
Dubai
Coalition necessary
One billion plus people going to decide their fate without knowing the system of governance, layer of power and parliamentary democracy to the extent that they are ignorant of the fact that the candidates can formulate laws to fit their rights as Indian citizens.
Such statements seem strange, but this is a fact about our society. Though we may vow after all the deliberations and discussions that we will vote for a candidate who truly understands our tribulations and will fight for the poor, the day preceding the elections we go back to considering the candidates from our caste, religion or family.
As far as the 2014 election is concerned, I think no political party is going to get a majority in the Lok Sabha. I am in favour of the coalition government wherein the interest of minorities is protected as no ruling party would jeopardise their power by implementing discriminatory rule.
From Mr Mohammad Neyaz
Sharjah
Game of money
All parties and leaders in India are corrupt. The Indian politics is a game of money. In this election, there is one party that has been robbing India for the last 60 years and another party that has robbed the same amount in just six years. One can’t even lodge a complaint without a bribe.
From Mr Shakil Ustad
UAE
Facebook comment
Does it matter?
Who really cares about the next Prime Minister? Will anything ever change? No matter who wins the election, India will remain the same.
From Mr Sanjeev
Dubai
Facebook comment
Can’t say
It is very difficult to guess who will be the next Prime Minister of India. I think Congress has been ruling for quite a while now and people of India want a change, so the votes might not favour Congress.
From Mr Kul Bahadur Gharti
UAE
Facebook comment
Unclear
There is a great change in mind-set of the electorates in India. A non-governmental organisation (NGO) that turned into a party is posing a threat to the corrupt, communal, corporate leaders. In the present scenario, it is difficult to say who is going to take over the apex post in India. Each party is claiming to form a government, but the electorates are not clear who to vote for.
From Mr Mohammad Bakhtiar
UAE
A fair chance
As a middle class Indian since the 1970s, I have seen quite a few political parties take the reigns of India (‘Arvind Kejriwal: The most dangerous man in India,’ Gulf News, April 1). Frankly, in the past 37 years of my life, not a single party at that helm has really made a positive difference to me as a citizen of India. If I have had the patience to accept these teams who have maintained their superiority at that helm for 37 years (not taking into account the additional 31 years before me), I think I have the right to pass on this patience to someone who is new and shows a strong sign, which signifies a wave of change. If Arvind Kejriwal does not prove to be a wave of change, I will be upset that I made a wrong choice. But if I don’t give him a chance, I would be more upset that I did not give someone a chance to prove themselves.
From Mr Joel Saldanha
Dubai
Taking people for granted
A leader who can’t run a state government for six months cannot be dangerous. He only does drama to be in the news headlines. He fooled the public that trusted him. He created trouble for people, and now he is getting involved with the central government.
From Mr A. Siddiqui
Dubai
Unprofessional
Unfortunately, your newspaper is also part of the media that has campaigned in subtle and not-so-subtle ways for the Congress. Now that the writing is on the wall for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, the media is now promoting AAP. It is needless publicity for a party that has no clue of professional administration. This party has taken to anarchy and street justice with violence. On the other hand, it is fortunate that the voters for the election are in India and not the readers of external media propaganda.
From Mr R. Vasudevan
Dubai
Website comment
Unbelievably
I can’t believe that Gulf News published this one-sided article.
From Mr Ahsan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Website comment
Democratic revolution
The writer is simply against Kejriwal. But, the fact is that most Indians identify themselves with AAP. Everyone has hopes that AAP will succeed. Even if AAP has made mistakes, we all forgive them, because any common man can make such mistakes. It is a democratic revolution.
From Mr Swapnil
Ajman
Website comment
Stop discouraging them!
This is a highly biased article and creates negativity about Arvind Kejriwal and his party. It is being projected that Kejriwal is against business, but that is not the case. In the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) speech Kejriwal clearly stated that he is pro business but against crony capitalism. For example, if you see Jan Lokpal Andolan, it was the Congress party that betrayed the people, not AAP. Anna Hazare did not want to associate with any political party, but Kejriwal wanted to improve the system so he interfered.
Later, Anna decided to support Mamata Banerjee. What was that? Sadanand Dhume, the writer of this article, suggests that Kejriwal should focus on his state, but then who will look at the country? Why is the author unable to show the positive side of AAP? The 49 days when people were afraid to ask for bribes, what about that? Suddenly government hospitals had medicines in stock and facilities were improved. There was no donation for nursery admissions for children. If someone is raising their voice against corruption, why is the author coming in his way? Anyhow there is nothing to lose if Kejriwal and his party lose. We will continue to survive in the system. All parties have given tickets to corrupt people.
From Ms Pan
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
No substance
He is not what people think, He is just another form of a corrupt leader. Kejriwal is a proxy for the Congress. People have already learnt this and those who have not learned will learn it soon. He just cannot take responsibility, just another person who wants to get attention but a person without any substance.
From Mr Radhukumar
Dubai
Battle for power
Kejriwal — last hope of India? I am doubtful. I think people are unable to understand the article by The Washington Post. Kejriwal is just like another politician who wants power.
From Mr Ajay
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Stronger than others
The writer of this article started with Kejriwal and ended with Kejriwal, the whole force of this article was to discredit any political relevance of Arvind Kejriwal even taking the liberty to term him dangerous for India.
However, the very fact that this article is written primarily about Kejriwal confirms his strong political presence compared to any other politician. On the contrary the arm twisting and outright illegal ways of industrialisation employed by Congress and BJP are only means to overcome political opponents rather than sustaining growth. I see a positive outcome only if the industrial giants are reigned in.
From Mr Ahmad Wajeeh Kamal
Dubai
Corrupt
During these critical days when the leadership of my country will be decided, all I want to do is sit and pray. Every time there are elections, people have hope. They go out to vote for the party they think will benefit them the most. But, in the end nothing changes. All politicians and political parties in India are corrupt. I don’t want to vote because being the world’s largest democracy we can’t find one ethical and honourable leader for our country.
From Ms Sahj S.
Dubai
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