Hunt For The Winning Horse

Sometimes it takes a sword dangling around your neck to remember that soldier from your army who has been pushed to the sidelines in the ever changing battlefield. When your knight in the shining armor turns a shade dull in front of that underdog who has suddenly changed the rules of the war, is when you scratch your head and wonder if there was any understated knight that you had overlooked. You look around; beyond the hullabaloo you have created around your mascot Knight, and realize that it wasn't enough. You had overlooked what the common man really wants and the basic premise of the war gets questioned. 

Source: Nizgoenkar.org

Opening their eyes to the virtues of a certain leader that lay gathering dust amidst the beaches and swaying palms of Goa, BJP finally woke up. It did not take the party long to realize that a Modi v/s Kejriwal campaign would be like comparing Khakras with the humble roti, but maybe just maybe the Goan pav could give the roti a run for its money? Seeing how popular Kejirwal has been getting with his common man behaviour, it was time to flaunt pictures of Parrikar’s humble two wheeler; his ride to office every day. 

Two chief ministers, one rather experienced and the other a fresher on the scene. Both Alma Maters of one of India’s most prestigious institutions – the IITs. Both, firm believers in simplicity and walking the talk. Both on a campaign against corruption, having reduced Congress to a negligible number in their resp. states. And that is where the similarity bids good bye, but not before leaving behind enough for the Lotus to mull over. After all, Politics is a lot like chess, your move depends on your opponent’s; but there is a difference. In politics, a loyal soldier can suddenly be made the king, and the king, a…..

So, unexpectedly out of nowhere, headlines make way onto the papers and feeds go viral on Facebook. “Parrikar v/s Kejiral” ,” Parrikar for PM”.  BJP and AAP supporters need no reason to indulge in debates and arguments over what they think is right and what is not, but when a reason is thrown at them, they devour it down. While the PM candidate from BJP lost no time in slamming Kejriwal and AAP, Parrikar appreciated his intent. The coat of one knight turned a bit dusty while that of the other shone, making simplicity the new “in“thing as far as the Lotus was concerned. Simple, however it might have sounded, the word created a Tsunami for them; AAP responded to their simplistic revelation by questioning the PM candidate, shouldn't it be Parrikar over Modi? After all Simplicity is the new mantra right? 

The game will keep changing, and the pawns moving up and down the squares; the noise that might have had little meaning will probably die down without creating much uproar but the thought might just linger on in the minds of many… If it was all about simplicity, would Parrikar have been a better candidate than Modi? Wasn't it a similar set of circumstances like those in Delhi that brought him to power in Goa? Weren't Goans done with the Congress governance (or the lack of it) that made them opt for a change? A Déjà Vu of sorts it is if you try and draw parallels between Parrikar’s win in Goa to that of AAP’s in Delhi.  

Source: thesentimes.com

Having observed Parrikar govern the tiny state of Goa twice during his career, there is no doubt the man is clean and a crusader against corruption. Over two decades in this industry called politics and the humbleness and simplicity has never dithered, nor has he given in to the rat race for filling up pockets and building hangers to park a growing fleet of cars. A preacher of good administration and governance, his intent has always been right but unfortunately the delivery has failed, weakening the hope placed in him by his followers and supporters who had eagerly been waiting for change. What makes him fail at the nth hour? While this is not an analysis of his (un)doings; two aspects silently standout. Despite being a personality to look up to, Parrikar has always displayed traits of a follower but not as much of a leader. The reason for this partly could stem from the second aspect – the extent of entrenchment into a mature yet traditional political party.  While he might want to bring in a lot of change, the environment in which he exists might not be conducive enough for it. 

Kejriwal on the other hand belongs to the same feather but with a difference. Rather than just be a part, he leads the party. The ability of bringing about a change lies in his hands. In the short time that he has been around, he has exhibited a trait for aggression when required and assertiveness when appropriate – both traits attributed to leadership abilities. However, he has a long way to go, whether he is able to stay consistent in his intent and behaviour is yet to be seen. Parrikar is far ahead as far as this aspect is concerned.

So, would Parrikar be the right PM candidate? Probably not; at least not right now. But nor is Kejriwal. While the former is seasoned enough to play the game, the aggression required is still missing. The latter on the other hand is well conversed with that quality but is relatively new on the political scene.

Yes, Parrikar could have been the change; Kejriwal just might be the change. But is the time right for him yet? AAP is but a year old and a country cannot be governed through reaching out to the public for opinions and views. They are on the right path but need to gain enough experience to take the matters of the world’s largest democracy in their hands. The good news is they are here, hopefully to stay and start making their presence felt with enough seats in the Lok Sabha. 

While they might not be ready for the biggest job of all, the Lotus and Hand better beware, the weeding process has begun, and the winds of change have set in.