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