Hi, It is said that in democracy "the people always get a government they deserve". So if the people are ready to elect Rahul, Milind, sachin, Jyotiraditya et al I do not think anyone can and should object. They are as much entitled to run for a political office as any other Indian. If the people think that someone is trying to create a modern fiefdom & if the people do not like it, they will not vote him/her out. Please understand that its easier for a Doctors son to become a Doctor, a lawyers son a lawyer as they have to pass the exam only once in their life. But the same is not true in Politics.
If the congress has gone down its rather due to some leaders like Pranob Mukherjee & Ambika Soni et al who never had any mass support but have been decision makers in Congress. They do not know the popular sentiment, have never worked at the grass root level and are alienated from the ground realities. There are many examples of such kind, eg. NKP Salve who was a Union Cabinet Minister for several years in congress governments has never even contested a municipal election, Mohsina Kidwai is another example. Its due to such incompetent people that the Congress has gone down.
The countrys economy has started seeing the benefits of competition and meritocracy in the last decade. This has happened with deregulation and liberalization. The command economy that the country had to put up with for several decades, due to the reigning political ideology at the time, did not generally support competition or encourage creativity. The people had grown used to bureaucracy, protectionism and inefficiency.
The political party structure in the country is not much different from the economic system. The only way there will be capable and visionary leaders is by adopting reforms in the political party structure. The command structure that exists today in the party institution begs for liberalization corresponding to that of the economy. There has to be much greater transparency in the administration of the party, allowing competition at all levels and less high command. Competition promotes creativity and self-confidence in individuals on the different rungs of party leadership. Rising leaders will go through sufficient and training and preparation, and earn their right to move up the ladder. Feudalism will soon be a thing of the past.
The countrys economy has started seeing the benefits of competition and meritocracy in the last decade. This has happened with deregulation and liberalization. The command economy that the country had to put up with for several decades, due to the reigning political ideology at the time, did not generally support competition or encourage creativity. The people had grown used to bureaucracy, protectionism and inefficiency.
The political party structure in the country is not much different from the economic system. The only way there will be capable and visionary leaders is by adopting reforms in the political party structure. The command structure that exists today in the party institution begs for liberalization corresponding to the liberalization of the economy. There has to be much greater transparency in the administration of the party, allowing competition at all levels. Competition promotes creativity and self-confidence in individuals on the different rungs of party leadership. Up and coming leaders go through sufficient preparation and earn their right to move up the ladder. Feudalism will soon become a thing of the past.
First of all, not everything said in this article is correct. One has to remember that the Congress party has been around and serving the nation for the last 50+ years. BJP's are the new (rather grey haired) kids on the block. Just like when a new corporation comes into being there are a lot of vacant positions to fill, similarly anyone aspiring to reach a new height (more corruption powers) joint it and we see the results. Whereas the Congress party has seen generation of different families serving the nation. Kids who are brought up in such a household has more exposure to politics than any newcomer. Let BJP spend some 50+ years and I bet you will just see their families in the party top posts, which is not the case with Congress. Govinda a newcomer finds a spot in Congress, to make a point. The authors is trying to be a mouth piece of BJP and the saffron clad by his misinformation. Sorry no takers for your thoughts!!
I think this is a brilliant article and clearly shows what the Congress is all about. Having had said that from purely a strategy point of view it makes a lot of sense to use the right "brand surname" since thats the surname, family name that has won from that constituency over the years.
It also enables the congress to create a loyal breed of second line. Now a Milind Deora would never quit the congress under normal circumstances where-as in the BJP you could have aspirants who will be denied tickets and therefore quit the party.
That beyond when you are ideologically bereft it is best to rely on image and recall. In a brand sense it is like a cellular service provider with a inferior network using an attractive ad campaign to woo customers.The campaign attracts customers who then stay on due to the fact that their numbers are with a lot of people. Similarly in case of congress their grass roots are weak and also they dont really have a great leadership bench strength to ensure that there are other competitors to take over vacated mantles.
All in all in sum toto I agree with the author that it makes sense for the people to vote with what they think is progress and growth
Why people from most political parties be jealous of the sons and daughters of the leaders of the past entering into politics? May be most of the leadre=ers either do not have worth children to wear boots or they may be either bachelors / spinstors / childless barons. please do not comment on such matters. They are delicate as you are. I remember to have gone to buy a fish in the market. When the fisherwoman called close to her to explain me why there is difference in the price for the same specis and the same size, she said " Bhagawan subko bacha deta hei kya? usme gaboli hai aur isme Gaboli nahi hei. islie dam meh pharak hey!" Now please understand when you comment on such touchy issues. Politicians! your game is only for the current term. Remember God is Eternity!.
Diwanji , it looks that you are unable to see the other side of the story like so many people in the party supported by you. How about sons of Mr Jaswant Singh, Mrs sindhia and son-in -law of VP got nominations leave aside one Ms Mishra (PM's Close relation)in this Elections.
