Politics of Change
The only thing constant is change. It is
said by French philosopher Heraclitus. The word ‘Change’ looks very simple. But
it is very effective in politics. Political actors practice it continuously. This
as political agenda helps in getting majority in elections. A political agenda
is a set of issues and policies laid out by political groups, parties and
actors. Political managers effect important changes in a timely manner in party
to ensure long-term survival.
Slogans
are an important and integral part of political campaign worldwide. Barack Obama used a very short but very effective
slogan in his 2008 election. It was “Change We Can Believe In”. He used this ‘Change’
word in different forms. A few were like one, vote for change; two, change
versus more the same; three, our time for change; four, stand for change; five,
organize for change; six, a leader who can deliver change; seven, change in
America does not start from the top down, it starts from the bottom up. The
change made voters fan of Barack. The change elected him first African-American
as president. It created a new history in the US election.
Akhilesh
Yadav(AY) was a symbol of change in 2007 assembly elections from Samajwadi
Party(SP). He brought abrupt change in party political agenda as UP(India) party
president. He got space to do that after defeat of his wife in Firozabad. The
slogan ‘Umeed Ki Cycle’ symbolized the change. If SP seemed a different- SP a
party of youngsters, new thinking and change- a large part of the credit goes
to its UP state president AY. He was delivered message of hope, change and
development to UP electorate.
Other prominent changes AY brought
about include his denying a party ticket to D. P. Yadav. This move was
“definitely taken to change the image of the SP”. He took a U-turn change in
party thinking on some issues. One good example is inclusion of distribution of
computers, laptops and tablets into its manifesto. Earlier party was not so
favorable. Electorate trusted and mandated him because of his change agent
image. His foreign education, clean image and well behaved public picture were
added advantages to his mission ‘Change’. Finally the political product
“Change” paid him. He got magic number- beyond imagination- 224 in 2012
assembly election.
Arvind
Kejrival is current example of practicing ‘Change’ as political tool in
politics of India. Corruption is one potent sellable political product in Indian political
market. His team founded Aam Aadmy Party (AAP) in November, 2012. For past two years in the leadership of Anna,
kejriwal and his team millions of common Indian protested against the corruption.
The people’s anti-corruption movement has exposed the ugly and greedy face of
our polity.
But
despite the huge wave of public support in favor of a strong anti-corruption
law, all political parties cheated the people and didn’t enacted any anti-corruption
law. AAP team say our aim in entering politics is not to come to power; we have
entered politics to change the current corrupt and self-serving system of
politics forever. AAP within less than one year has acquired position of game
changer due to politics of “Change”.
The
survey conducted in Delhi by Lokniti and CSDS for CNN-IBN and The Week, reveals
that along with troubles of its own making the congress has found a new and
albeit strong adversary in 10-month- old party AAP 28% of the 2507 voters that
the survey covered in Delhi, said that they are willing to vote for AAP
Compare this to congress’ 27% and BJP’s 29%. It is evident that APP has made
more than just a dent on the big sharks’ vote-share. The politics of change has
brought visible and astonishing result to APP in less than a year.
BJP
as Modi PM Candidate for Indian Lok Sabha(LS)-2014 is trying to embrace change as
political agenda. Narendra Modi nicknamed as NaMo is symbolizing himself as
change agent. He, in an inaugural meeting in Gandhinagar, said “If people give
us an opportunity to work for five year, we should prove to bring a change, the
change that people remember and appreciate.
Invoking
his slogan ‘India First’, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the BJP’s
campaign for 2014 elections on August12, 2013. Modi ended his 45-minute-long address
at the public meeting by repeating Barack Obama’s famous words ‘Yes we can’. He
asked the audience to repeat with him “Yes we can. Yes we will do”.
Addressing
a rally in Jhansi on October 25, 2013 he asked people to give a chance to BJP
for 60 months as compared to 60 years that have given to Congress. He ensured
public that BJP will change the face and future of India.
The Week magazine survey has predicted 197 seats for
NDA. While 184 are for UPA and rest parties will get 162 in LS polls 2014. This
survey reveals 32% people like NaMo as Prime Minister. It is followed by
Manmohan Singh (15%) and Rahul Gandhi(13%). Poll prospect of BJP is going up as
poll time coming closer.
NaMo in Gujrat as CM has acted as change agent of development and good
governance. He is making an all out effort to sell this ‘Change’ product at
national level to bring BJP in power in 2014 LS poll. There are two sides of
his election; one is NaMo Personality and BJP his party. Voters like more NaMo
as change agent as compared to BJP. Voters more impressed by NaMo than BJP- personality
politics.
Heera Lal (
views are personal and based on different sources)
Ref:
3.
http://www.afriprov.org/index.php/news-archive/443-campaign-slogans-of-barrack-obama-in-the-us.html
Good Observations !!!
ReplyDeleteNicely explain Sir !!
ReplyDeleteSir I have a question regarding UP CM, He is a well educated and also there are not a any corruption charges. As he better know about education but didn't doing that and job but he doing like his father given a donation to UP People like "Berojgari Bhatta".
Good article
ReplyDeleteGud n comparativly correct observation.
ReplyDeleteNice article...... appreciate in depth and comprehensive touch in Indian politics.
ReplyDelete