Zee Research Group
Bi-polar or truly tri-polar? Modi, Gandhi or Kejriwal? At the end of 2013, for any political pundit it would be difficult to choose a winner among Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal. The spectacular show by Kejriwal and his party in recently concluded Delhi polls has actually made the contest tri-polar in 2014. Has it or it is early days to read the riot act to the grand old lady of politics in India?
Who will Aam Aadmi vote for? While Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejiwal have emerged as the agent of change, Rahul Gandhi’s pro-active avatar after party’s crushing defeat in Delhi polls could confuse voters in 2014. Or, will he vote without any backing any core political ideology. Advantage Kejriwal & Co?
Old might not be gold? It’s never too old when you are in politics but the situation could change with more youth participating in elections. The recently concluded assembly polls could be the best example of the trend. 2014 verdict could prove end of the road for politicos like Manmohan Singh, LK Advani, Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh et al. Or, will they spring a surprise and keep old boy club in business?
Pan India AAP or stand alone clones? Aam Aadmi Party which has been projected as the harbinger of a corruption-free system has also decided to expand in many other states. But, the pertinent question is whether voters outside the capital, embrace AAP or not? With the general elections, six states (Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim) are also slated for polls in 2014. Yes to the model but no to AAP. Will clones be for real?
Will Bills become law? At the end of the recently concluded winter session 126 bills were pending before the Parliament. This list includes bills like women reservation bill which has been pending since 1996. With only one session to go before the end of 15th Lok Sabha, it would be interesting to see how the new government will show some urgency in clearing them.
A new “Elder” club: As 70 RS MPs retire in 2014, a whole set of new individuals will seek to make it to the Upper House. Industrialist Rajkumar Dhoot, Murli Deora, Union ministers G.K. Vasan and Jayanthi Natarajan, AICC treasurer Motilal Vora, Prem Chand Gupta, N.K. Singh, Dr K.V.P. Ramchandra Rao, Dr T. Subbaami Reddy, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar are among 70 members of the upper house to retire in 2014. Not that these individuals can give it a retry?
Professionals (non politicians) in politics: This might well be the final innings for Dr Manmohan Singh, the professional who made it to the top and stayed there for a decade. But this will not be the end of the road for professionals seeking a life in politics, especially post AAP success. Taking a cue from the success of Aam Aadmi Party many non-political faces could come into politics? But, it may also depend upon the performance of 23 legislature of AAP that are not from any political background.
Net net gainers? If Google’s India head Rajan Anandan is to be believed there will be 240 million Indians on the Internet by the 2014 election and that includes 70 per cent of India`s voters who can swing an election.
Will they fare better: After the fall out of Nirbhaya gang rape murder almost every political party stood for women empowerment but it would be interesting to see will they take this into consideration while distributing tickets for 2014 elections. Of all the assembly polls held during the last five years, as many as 22 states registered less than 10 per cent participation of women candidates in these elections.
