A Karmayogi’s Last Marathon
by Sudheendra Kulkarni
In the last lap of the marathon election campaign, two wisdom-filled books, both by Japanese authors, helped turn the focus of my thoughts inwards. In the din of the election battle, when much of my energy was taken up in arguments and counter-arguments, I regularly felt the need for moments of quiet contemplation to know if I was doing the right thing the right way. Of course, it helped to have a session of collective meditation each evening along with fellow volunteers in the campaign office. But the dialogue with oneself was also aided by a remarkable book The Secret Life of Water by Masaru Emoto, who has written another best-selling book The Hidden Messages in Water. He presents a revolutionary theory that our thoughts, positive or negative, have a direct effect on water and, by implication, on all life and on the creation of our world tomorrow. “Water reflects the human soul,” he writes. “If you say ‘Thank you’ to water, it will be reflected in the formation of beautiful crystals overflowing with gratitude in return. If the hearts of those who live on the planet are contaminated, then the earth will become that way.” In other words, perform every action, including electioneering, with the right attitude if you want the right results.
The question that I frequently asked myself over the past few months was this: “Our party says that it wants to contribute to the building of a better India tomorrow. Are we, therefore, participating in this election campaign with the purest of thoughts, feelings and actions?” The honest answer is that many of us — above all, our leader L.K. Advani — tried with as much honesty as we could summon. True, we lost the election, and defeat always brings a terrible feeling of disappointment. But we have the satisfaction that we did nothing that would ever shame us or belittle us in our own esteem. If anything, we were elevated by working for a leader who motivated us with his selfless character, his indefatigable personal effort, which daily exceeded the limits of human capacity at his age, and his inspirational thoughts for the nation (“Let’s make the 21st century India’s century.”) Even in this moment of defeat, that is some victory in itself.
“The act of living,” writes Emoto, “is the act of flowing like water.” The life of our party will flow on. Our party, founded by a great brave-heart patriot like Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, guided by a seer like Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and built to its present level of strength by dedicated leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani, is not going to stop its journey because of this electoral setback. We’ll introspect, learn the right lessons, apply correctives, and move on, with purer thoughts, feelings and actions.
The second book that figured in my campaign-time reading was Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Murakami, Japan’s most famous living novelist, weaves his stories with incredibly fine threads of imagination and insight, almost resembling laser-beams, into human psychology. This book is not a novel; rather, it is a memoir of his reflections as a long-distance runner. Murakami, probably the only novelist who is also a marathon runner, states that running is both a physical exercise and a catalyst for philosophical reflection about oneself. “Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself.” Murakami says that as a runner, and also as a novelist, he is not particularly competitive. “I am much more interested in whether I reach the goals that I set for myself, so in this sense long-distance running is the perfect fit for a mindset like mine.”
Advani’s life is also that of a long-distance runner. In his long political career spanning over six decades — longer than any active political leader in India — he has never stopped running. He has also never stopped looking within, in moments of triumph or defeat. He is one of the rare leaders who puts a very high premium on right thoughts, right expression and right action. He knows that it is very difficult to do so in politics, but he has never stopped trying, and never given up.
Advani’s weakness in this election was that he did not display enough of a winner’s instinct. There are, of course, many factors behind the BJP’s defeat, but one of them is that he did not take the several ruthless decisions that needed to be taken at different points after the BJP’s 2004 defeat. Advani proved to be too much of a gentleman to hurt others. In running the most important marathon of his life, he no doubt grew as an even better human being but, as a leader, he ought to have asserted himself more.
At a thanks-giving function at the BJP headquarters a few days ago, Advani, while addressing all the party workers who had worked on the campaign, said, “The people have voted. We will know their verdict on May 16. The right thing for us to do is to follow the teaching of the Bhagawad Gita. We have done our karma to the best of our abilities and with utmost sincerity. As far as the outcome of our karma is concerned, let us leave it to the Almighty. Whatever be the people’s verdict, let us accept it with humility.”
Advani, the greatest long-distance runner in Indian politics, has lived the life of a karma yogi. Sad he certainly is in this hour of defeat. But on many higher criteria that determine success in life, he has risen even higher in the esteem of all those who know him.
(This article was first published in Indian Express on May 17, 2009.)
Comments
33 Responses to “A Karmayogi’s Last Marathon”
Even though BJP failed, made mistakes, lost the elections it did it gracefully. This is the only consolation the supporters and BJP can have. However, this failure needs to be thoroughly analyzed, steps should be taken to avoid this kind of defeat again and should work collectively as a unit to become a winner in 2014. Till then, there is no scope for taking things lightly.
I really appreciate the grace and humility with which BJP has accepted the peoples verdict in both 2004 & 2009. This is unparalleled in Indian polity. There have been no moronic excuses like rigging etc. Even genuine hindrances like media bias haven’t been played up and there havent been knee jerk reactions.
BUT, BJP has to realize the mistakes Shri Kulkarni ji mentioned in his post and many more and get its house in order under a new president and a new leader of the opposition. Internal squabbles at the center and various state units have to be finished for good and a constructive agenda has to be brought forward and publicized.
Do not feed the rumour mongers in media anything, we will have a great chance thereafter
Hi Sudheendraji,
I am great fan of yours and also get inspiration from your writing. I think BJP has to pass the baton from LKA to others. We supporters have a feeling that BJP is in denial, why hasn’t BJP elected Leader of opposition other than LKA. Please see my few points below.
BJP seriously needs to think of Image. Please start working on these as your supporters are anxious.
1. Get new Leader of Opposition. My Choices are Sushma Swaraj or Yashwant Sinha. Do a secret ballot to elect the position as that will be a good example to counter Congress’s Autocracy.
2. Elect new President of party also through secret ballot, my preference is Arun Jaitley.
3. Get accomplished young new faces, who can talk smartly to Media. This will counter Congress’s Pasada,Hooda,Scindia etc. as they are all dynastic. I am from IT sector and I see so much of support for BJP, these supports needs to convert to votes, blogging only will not help.
4. Create shadow ministers and departments who will counter each and every move of congress. If BJP accepts congress’s policy, lets make that clear. If it does not then lets give constructive alternative. This alternative should be conveyed effectively to people/ electoral, so that later they remember that BJP made noises which are right and useful to them.
5. Take high moral grounds, if something is wrong, BJP has to condemn it strongly. Raj-Dharma has to be followed.
6. BJP should take help from this huge pool of friend’s of BJP, LKAdvani forum etc. I see so many motivated volunteers. use them to increase party membership and spread the word.
Let’s not live in denial and start working. In politics week is long time, BJP should always be ready as you never know what happens next.
PS.: Congress’s allies giving trouble.
Regards,
S.Chatterjee
A lot of lame comments out here seem to suggest that BJP should become another Congress. That would be disastrous for Hindus and more importantly, for India.
Sorry. Pls dont call Advaniji “Karmayogi”. I doubt whether Sudheendra Kulkarni read the Geeta at all.
No Karmayogi will weep after losing the elections. Karmayoga is all about doing duties with an equipoised mind.And no Karmayogi will run away from realities by giving resignation as Advaniji tried to do.
“Advani’s weakness in this election was that he did not display enough of a winner’s instinct.”
Yes. I agree with this. He chose the most incorrect time to pen and publish his memoirs.
Sudhindra Ji,
With due respect to you and your article, I would take sides with you when you say Mr Advani Ji was not assertive in many occassions.
Not only Mr Advani Ji, I find few spokespersons are not assertive as well and when they speak up they should speak up with great emphasis on certain questions still haunting our country. Why to keep silence when someone calls you communal. raise this and spread the hate politics of the ruling congress against a section of society by calling them communal. If Legal action doesnt work, I am sure we will make them morally and psychologically weak.
Friends pls keep your eyes and years glued with TV and lets question the anchor, editor or author of any article where someone (not only BJP) is framed as communal without evidence and ground. I am very serious friends.
My honest suggestions to you and all senior leaders of party is to convene a meeting among all friends and supporters of BJP to get their views and suggestions on improving the party’s brand image, next immediate steps that we feel should be taken care of without any further delay.
I feel its waste of time for many of us to express everything out here because the spy from media and congress would be trying to approach Kalavati, all vatis elsewhere from now to sell rice at -25 paise per Kg.
Sudhindra ji, please be reassured that there are many many intellectuals who dont vote till date, the word poverty is being extrapolated by Congress when they themselves know they are the prime accused for our state of economy. More than 60 years of blatant vioaltion of human rights done by congress party to keep our nation one of poorest country in world. Cant you leaders do something to reach out to the entire country and know their pulse?
I would be happy to attend the meet along with a herd of other friends and supporters if you do organize one. Thats the beginning and I am sure you will appreciate the fact that the party needs a rejuvenation, restructuring and rebranding.
Thanks and Regards
Appeal to all BJP leaders and supporters/friends. Boycott biased media channels and newspapers. Then see how it will effect their revenues. Teach them a lesson. I have cancelled subscription of NDTV pack on my Big TV connection alongwith India Today subscription.
Join this campaign
Here are three costly mistakes by Advani Jee during this election campaign:
Firstly, he appeared to be backing Varun Gandhi’s stance:
Regardless of whatever he spoke like it’s not our party line, party distances itself from his remarks, he is a novice etc. he along with the party appeared to be defending Varun’s stance. What was needed was a categorical condemnation of his speech and he must have been asked not to file his nomination until proven innocent by the court of law. Varun Gandhi factor even turned away many definite BJP voters. One of my friends said that he would have voted for BJP but did not go out to vote because of this Varun saga and he could not have voted for Congress. So, just imagine what it would have done to many potential BJP voters in urban area.
Second is over-reliance on Narendra Modi:
Regardless of his pro-development image and his contributions towards making Gujrat one of the best performing states Modi Jee by and large is perceived as a communal face of BJP. His unapologetic stance over post-Godhra carnage, his hard talking, his over-emphasis on bashing Manmohan, Sonia, Rahul & Priyanka resulted in polarization of votes outside Gujrat. Many moderate Hindus who could have voted for BJP turned towards Congress. And at the same time it consolidated the Muslims votes in favor of Congress. Muslims may have forgotten the Babari episode but post-Godhra carnage is still fresh in their minds and they unequivocally blame Narendra Modi for it. And I for one believe that revival of Congress could not have been possible without this consolidation.
And third is the conspicuous absence of Vajapeyee factor from the election campaign:
BJP workers and sympathizers may live in denial but they have to swallow the hard truth that Vajapeyee Jee still symbolizes the moderate face of BJP. But his absence in posters, ads, hoardings etc. during the entire campaign period was not only striking but intriguing too. Never during the campaign BJP appeared to be projecting the good works of the previous NDA regime like - PMGSY, Food for Work program, Highway development program, major economic reforms, their successful foreign policy (so much so that several countries were backing India’s permanent place in security council) etc. They could have told people that all the things which UPA govt is boasting off like NREGA, Bharat Nirman etc. their seeds were sown during NDA regime itself. For example Food for Work became NREGA, PMGSY became Bharat Nirman etc. They could also have also contrasted the rapid infrastructural growths during NDA regime with that of UPA regime. But all this was missing. And the emphasis got wrongly shifted towards phony strong vs. weak debate. Slogans like Majboot Neta, Nirnayak Sarkar appeared hollow without the backing of any real examples. Large section of India wants development & stability and they do not care how it is coming whether via a puppet PM or a strong leader. With Vajapeyee factor BJP’s otherwise negative campaign would have appeared positive as the focus then would have been shifted towards development & performance.
All this combined with other factors like infightings, media’s biased role etc. ensured BJP’s defeat. Now the time has come to sort out the matter and come up with a new energetic leader of opposition and party president. They should be very careful in their selections. The two leaders must satisfy two criteria: firstly, they must appear to be representing the aspirations of India’s youth and secondly, they must present a moderate face of BJP - like the one Vajapeyee did.
Also, one thing BJP must realize the sooner the better: and that is the days of aggressive Hindutva politics is over. It would be akin to committing political suicide if they go back to this plank under the illusion that this was the one which brought BJP to national forefront.
@Amit Anand
I disagree with your points. All these factors mentioned by you were not there in 2004 elections.Then why BJP lost?
In both 2004 as well as 2009 what we notice is that BJP is absent in AP,TN,WB and Kerala which are 144 seats. BJP is weak in UP (80 seats State).Together, all these are 224 seats. Out of 320 remaianing seats, expecting 272 is illogical.
Find 500 candidates for 2014, start training them from now on what BJP stands for. Start your own media channel. BJP will win when its time comes but it must do the groundwork.
I am not sure whether calling Advani Karma Yogi is the highest honor available now.According to me there is no one in the Parliment as of today with his stature. He is the tallest leader in this country by all rights and it is unfortunate this country did not get a chance to be ruled under his leadership ala Sardar Patel. This country has lost the chance of two great leaders ruling us with a stroke of self betrayal or denial.
Somone is surely responsible in a way for this from BJP, does BJP have real concern for this miss and do a fair and free self introspection. If a company is going through a huge crisis, nowadays I see the managers come with reality check and come up with tough right measures to pull the situation back on track, this for a few ruppees. BJP wants to run the country, why can’t it do.
Go behind closed doors, fight it out shout it out and see everything clean and fair, but when you come burn your egos and pledge your services for this country. I dont want to take names but I feel some more responsible than others for the debacle. last election it was naivety(Shining) with which we lost, this time i think it is more so to do with internal misses.
when muslims get polarised towards congress its secularism
when hindu’s get polarised towards bjp its communalism.
is moral less media ki jai ho.
Rakesh Singh, you are 100 % correct. When it comes to Minorities especially Christians and Muslims, all the pseudo-secular parties, so called secular parties, congress government, NHRC, international media, national media are championing their cause and rights and so called Injustices occuring to them in a Hindu dominated country. However, when it comes to Hindus, not even a single party comes forward to fight for their cause. Any cause, whether it be Ram Janma Bhoomi Issue, freedom from the control of government on Hindu temples, matts , Ram Sethu issue , we can see no takers to fight for them . I doubt even if BJP under Vajpayee did any thing constructively for Hindus. Let us face the facts. Vajpayee may be soft and he may be the developmental face, however, little on the ground is done for the Hindus. I don’t see a hope for Hindus after the recent defeat of BJP in the elections.
Forget about Varun Gandhi at this time( he may need some training on moderating his speeches), BJP needs to expand in key states like A.P, T.N, Kerala and West Bengal. This is very very essential and if they make the same mistake again in 2014 they will be doomed because of anti-incumbancy acting against them in states like Karnataka, Gujarat, M.P and Jharkand.
Sir
It was a great distress for the admirers of Advaniji like me to watch the fate of these elections. However, I have to point out one thing that average Indian electoral class comprises of poor and ignorents, who, at times, are exploited materially by populist schemes and unfair measures on one hand and emotionally by creating larger than life impressions of sacrifices or hopes on the other.
It is miraculous that Advaniji worked in such adverse environment and created a non reversible minimum base of the party.(In my opinion BJP faced political reversal and deafeat goes to third front)
However,the speed of awareness of Indian electorate is little slow This couples with inhent Indian tendancy to accept changes with stress. At the future times when the masses are fully aware, they will not compromise for anyone other than Majbbot Neta with clarity in vision and thoughts like Advaniji and the day is not far off. And Avaniji will not be there.Had this awreness coincided with the energy years of Advaniji say 20 or 30 years back, Advaniji and India would have both worked miracles and the entire world would have watched in astonishment.
My best wishes to a Karmayogi for here is the person who will be more remebered with the passage of time for he brought a political party from ashes like a Phoenix in the forefront of most competative, caste-ridden and non-ethical political map of India.
Mr Kulkarni, I as a BJP supporter with heavy heart accepted the Mr Advani as PM. I understood the Organizations compulsions behind it. But What about the neutral or swing voters.? It seems they could not accept him. Mr Advani is a good person but media has created a different image for him. He himself is also responsible for it along with several other factors. To me, He probably thought that Win would come automatically. After Jinnah remark, he felt isolated and stopped working for the party. He never raised any issues as a opposition leader. He did not work to become PM. Now the Opportunity is lost. 5 years is a precious time. I agree that his long political life has lots of respect. He has done a lot to BJP. Now Could we have another ATAL BIHARI..?
Ironically what ever is said ,BJP stands for it already. In last 8 years what has made people deviate away from BJP. It is the TV News Media which ironically become prominent during Vajpayee’s time only.
If BJP makes NDTV/CNN-IBN/Times Now and Star News loose their credibility in next 5 years, BJP would not have to work very hard to promote itself because like a movie people will be clear of what all BJP has done and what all it stands for.
What ever BJP has done and stands for has been discussed million times on TV although negatively. So if BJP makes Media unreliable then people will immediately pick up what BJP stands for.
BJP has to finish Media’s credibility like Amasr Singh does. So the target should be attack media and make it appear cheap and biased and sold its sould. Sad thing for a democracy but BJP ha sto do it for its survival.
All the small kids are spoiled by TV news Channel,where they show BJP as some old mindset Evil Fascist group which is against Youth. BJP has to attak Media in a hard and ugly way and even if it means hitting below the belt or appearing cheap. They have spoiled one whole generation against BJP. This new generation which thinks Congress as the only party will be easily disillusioned when theirs dream are not met when they grow up,resulting in terrorism,separatism etc, the same issues we faced in 1980.
For the sake of Hindu civilization and India BJP has to strike TV Channels Media hard and they can even take help of Amar Singh in it.
http://social.friendsofbjp.org/blogs.php?blog_id=aba48ea1acb4ad785f6e817c897881a6bcb2a8a183
2009 elections are the first Elections where Media is growing to play a major role. The process has started in 2004 LokSabha Elections where NDTV played a major role in defeating the BJP.Ironically enough, these channels grew because of the liberal policies of Vajpayee Government and later they played major role in decimating the Vajpayee Government. They proved that Congress was absolutely right in the way it handled Media for last 60 years by making the Media almost its slave. They also proved that China is right when it suppresses Media so ruthlessly as Media can play very divisive role in such a huge Populous country. Hats off to both Congress and People’srepublic of China. Vajpayee Government dug his own grave by allowing Media to operate so freely.
Just regularly watch NDTV 24/7 particularly English one. You will slowly realize how much they hate even India as a nation and Hindus in particular but how subtly they pass on the message while acting max neutral. Another example is Time Now. The Channel is a hidden Congressi but subtly passes on messages in favour of Congress while appearing totally Neutral. Not much to be said about CNN-IBN. It’s founder Rajdeep Sardesai made a career out of 2002 riots. It is an obscene Congress supporter.Most funny thing is that Pappu Yadav who has a conviction of LifeTime Imprisionment is now brought frequently on the program “The Big Fight” of NDTV to give lecture on Secularism to BJP Spokespersons. I couldn’t understand that why is NDTV doing so till I saw the news that he has joined Congress.
Most of these Media Bosses are product of JNU University which excels in Leftist Ideology and is talking much for last 60 years on socialism and alleviating Poverty.They believe only in talking but not doing anything about it. Since Communists are not a major force in India these leftist Media persons end up supporting Congress which is like a Political Ganga where every “Nala”,”Naali”, dirt,sewage water can meet and become pure. After all Indian Communists are nothing but the rotten version of Congress.
Indian Communists are fake ones and Cowards and they are an embarassment for the real Communists like the brave Vladmir Putin of Russia and Chairman Mao of China.The support for pakistan or Jihadis by Communists come from their Cowardice rather than any policy.They think that by buttering jihadis they will be safe like China but that is stupidity.One example of Communist’s Cowardice is Sitaram techuri’s statement where he said that bringing India closer to USA by Nuclear Deal will bring wrath of AL Qaeda. What another big example of Cowardice could be.They will be always be involved in anything which makes India weak and subservient to China. They will delightfully do anything which destabilizes India like the formation of Third Front.
Problem is that Communists are hardly 5% of the population and they control 90% of Media/Intellectuals. With this disproportionate representation,they tend to impose their Cowardice and Cynicism on the entire population and people have no coice as entire Media is controlled by them.
Now what can BJP do when the entire Print and Electronic Media is against them and is openly either supporting the Congress or making people cynical of all the politicians. BJP has only few options.First is that spend 5-10 crore rupees and make Small Budget Multiplex kind of Movie which displays this Anti-National behaviour of Media.The movie will be able to recover its cost. Move back to small time Newspapers who are threatened by 24 hr news Channels.Use Internet heavily to expose the Media. BJP has done great job by incorporating Chandan Mitra and Swapan Das Gupta.They should be used as a great antidote for Media.BJP supporters have done great job by launching sites such as http://www.lkadvani.in and friendsofbjp.org.
Another possible way to counter this Leftist Media onslaught is to launch its own TV Channel.This has been suggested by many people on different forums supporting BJP.But I feel that BJP doesn’t need a news channel because with a Political Foe like Congress,it will very easily paint that channel as biased and imagine all the propaganda mechanism of Congress working against a Channel. Channel will loose its credibility immediately. We have to beat this propaganda mechanim of Congress on its own Platform only.
BJP needs some Amar Singh and Rajeev Shula type of spokesperson who can make the discussion cheap and trivial and loaded with personalized attacks and self glorification.Even a “Very Noisy” Spokesperson like Satyavrata Chaturvedi of Congress wil also help.Rajeev Pratap Rudy got stuck in elections otherwise he used to handle all media and Rajeev Shukla kind of spokespersons very well.
The visible appearance of the BJP SpokesPerson should be sufficient to deter the News Anchor from dragging him to ideological debate. Now can any News Anchor dare to get involved in ideological debate with Amar Singh and Rajeev Shukla.
BJP’s Spokes person are too soft and intellectuals and each believe that he is some sort of Statesman and a future Prime Ministerial Candidate, which is acceptable to everyone.They will act too idealistic.Remember Media will always put one against six in a debate. There will be a BJP SpokesPerson and the people who will be against him will be one Congress Spokes Person,the Anchor and the 4-5 so called experts all of whom are so well fed by Congress.Now such debates can’t be won by your arguing power only.You have to act cheap as your defeat there sends a wrong impression in the minds of Public.You are in a “ChakraVyuha” and you have to break it and you can break it only by acting cheap and trivial but BJP SpokesPerson are too mild and decent to do so.
BJP has recently introduced new Spokes Persons who are quite agressive like Sudhendra Kulkarni,Siddharta Nath Singh and Balbir Punj. They are doing good job. But still the element of cheapness is lacking. So probably a refresher course from Amar Singh and Rajeev Shukla needed!.
Best option will be BJP recruits me as its Spokesperson. I will make the debates trivial, personalized and cheap and will handle Media well as anyhow I do idolize Amar Singh !.
http://social.friendsofbjp.org/blogs.php?blog_id=aba48ea1acb4ad785f6e837d897881a6bcb2a8a183
I have always said that India is lucky to have a political party like Congress. 2009 General Election’s results are indeed shocking for any staunch BJP supporter like myself and I do have my own share of tears and sleepless nights for Advani ji as this was his last election and this loss will finish his career.But in hindsight I feel Advani ji was a little foolish to waste his life with a party like BJP. He is in Politics since 1952 and he could have become everything other than the Prime Minister, if he has joined Congress or may be even that just have a look at Manmohan Singh.
Advani ji didn’t realized that those who have silently tolerated Slavery of foreign rulers for thousand years will not rise from their slumber by his idealistic talks/vision/honesty/integrity/good work etc. In fact such a community will be deeply cynical of them and will try to find faults in a person who is procaliming to be honest or who tries to practice values and display honesty and integrity. You have get hold of this slavery tissue and manipulate rather than asking people to get rid of it.Any way Advani has sufficient time to think now and may be in his next Birth he should try to fix his mistake by joining Congress.Losss is cruel and Victory is sweat and Advani ji is not new to it only issue is that this was his last chance.
Any way this thread is not for Advani ji. We have to praise Congress and let’s continue with it. India and China became independent at the same time around 1947.There was Maoist movement which involved lot of Bloodshed and established absolute control in China. But I believe Congress has ruled 52 years out of 62 years with the same absolute control over Media,intellectuals,Government Machinery without any bloodshed and democratically while earning good name for themselves across
the World. Isn’t a great achievement. Only Jinnah and Pakistanis have fooled Congress occasionally but that is a separate topic.
Let’s start describing the great discipline Congress have which BJP lacks although it cries fromm rooftops to be a disciplined party of Cadres. All victories have to be attributed to Sonia Gandhi and losses to self. Digvijay Singh who has pulled up the the unbelievable U.P win for Congress immediately gave the credit to Rahul Gandhi. In Congress you can get your colleague killed but don’t say anything in front of Media. Shame on BJP leaders to do their infighting in front of Camera. Too much democracy
spoils people.
Then there is Media management.Congress is master of it.That is not the topic of discussion. What matters is why are BJP guys, the darling of Media. I am seeing that even they have lost badly Media is not leaving them alone. All channels since morning are covering them madly. Probbaly Media needs them for increasing their TRPs. Elections are over,BJP people should stop increasing the Media TRPs. Just see how Sonia or Rahul gave very rare interviews and Congress Spokes persons appear very sophisticated and handle Media well.Some good things Congress have done in this elections,I will discuss them before closing.
First thing with Youth Plank,Congress has forced people to accept Dynastic Rule. People want Young people to rule them, then they will definitely come from Political families and people have to learn to live with them as an ordinary Youth will take some 15-20 years to come to main fold and become effective.
Second one great service they have done for the Nation is that they have finished the Left Parties and regional parties together. The Left parties and parties like Samajwadi Party and Laloo yadav tried to act “Secular than thou”. They behaved as loyal to Congress as the original Congressis and claimed that they are doing this to keep BJP out of Power. Little did they understood that Congress is giving them shovel to dig their own Grave and they are digging their Grave with so delight.People felt that ultimately all claim to be so secular and all want to keep BJP out and all will ultimately support Congress then why not support Congress itself.
Third great thing is that Ram Sene Mangalore Pub Incident televised and covered with great delight 24/7 by Media. Ram Sene was linked to BJP though both were fighting elections against each other. People say such campaigns are useless,they are quite effective.BJP won the Mangalore seat but lost many in Metros like Delhi,Chandigarh etc as it was assumed that BJP would beat all the Pub going girls. This thing affected the Youth very much and the first time voters. BJP should learn the art of staging such events and giving them full coverage via Media.Remember a lie told thousand times becomes a truth.
Fourth best thing which Congress did was handling DMK while Srilankan Army was finishing of LTTE. This is a miracle of sorts. What a feat to achieve this while your own Government is supported by DMK.Imagine a NDA led Government would have messed up such thing. DMK would have pulled out support. How did Congress managed Karunanidhi and he did only half a day fast upto death (breakfast to lunch) is a miracle LTTE is finished of just today and this is great service to India.
Finally the most hilarious one is the Maharashtra NavNormana Sena issue handling. It brought Raj Thackrey into the limelight.Varun Gandhi said something which is not yet proven and was caught by a hidden camera yet he got NSA. Raj did and said everything before Camera still he spent just one night in Jail. Politics is dirty just as anything goes in war and love. He was there to split ShivSena votes and he did it effectively.Hats off to Congress for getting Bhaiyas thrashed by MNS in Bombay,cutting Shivsena votes and then winning Bhaiyas vote in U.P. These are political skills we should appreciate.BJP should try to learn these from Congress.
Raj Thakrey did not won a single seat but has cost SS-BJP many of their seats. Just imagine Ram Naik and Kirit Sommaiya defeated and Sanjay Nirupam and Gurudas Kamat getting elected in their place. Raj has defeated Ram Naik a Marathi manoos and sent a bihari bhaiyya to the Lok Sabha and he’s even happy about it! “Doich mara par kya solit maara”, this is the HINDI dialog he uses when told that he’s responsible for SS-BJP defeat in Mumbai. Surprise was that he was speaking in Hindi as he has promised to speak always in Marathi. Can any party other than Congress handle so many contradictions at the same time.I forgot to mention that Congress had condemned Raj Thakrey kind of Politics and blamed ShivSena and BJP for spreading hate politics and ideology. One Arrow many targets. BJP can’t complain that they are target of dirty games. They should learn to play them.
Finally BJP should stop acting as Holy Cow as Congress has successfully proved that Corruption is non issue with Indian masses.BJP has got 7 seats in A.P in 1999.But it sacked its National president Bangaru Laxman who was from A.P and a Dalit on some stupid TV Sting operation. Result is that BJP is getting a big zero in A.P.Many ministers with scam charges have won handsomely.Congress has proved that corruption is no longer an issue which public minds provided you do some work for them.You have to manage people’s expectations.
So BJP has to get its act together. There is one great example before them to follow.
BJP lost in 2004 also even after having Vajpayee ji and a secular Government for 6 years. Accept this fact,Muslims and Christians
will never vote for BJP and move on. Devise strategies to counter this fact rather than starting to behave like Congress. Media will
never allow BJP to be secular. Gujrat will be shown before every election.
Some talks are going on making Sushma Swaraj as next leader.Sushma Swaraj will be a sitting Duck for Congress and Media. All her comments like “Shaving her head” if Sonia wins will be played again and again over all channels. She will finish BJP,original to two seats.
Dr Murali manohar Joshi would be projected as Old and failed HRD minister by Media.
We need Narendra Modi as President and Shivraj Singh Chauhan as Prime Minister. It is a Dalit/OBC combination and Media’s ego will be satisfied for some time that they have defeated Modi ji. Modi ji has long career and public memory is short may be he can be candidate for 2019.
Media wants to see Modi humbled and let them have this pleasure.
For BJP it is always Country first. many pseudo intellectuals criticize BJP’s stand on Nuclear Deal but they do not know what sacrifice BJP has done for Nuclear Deal.
If BJP has not opposed the Nuclear Deal and Congress and BJP were seen on the same side,you would have seen a Third front Government now with mayawati as PM and Prakash Karat in background. then all this talks were useless. for BJP it is country first and it sacrificed its own
interests for the country.
Slave mentality of Hindus will take some time to go away. One simple example is that Narendra Modi will loose Gujrat elections 2012 as Congress will promise free power and all the farmers will fall for it.
Same way too much Pseudo Secualarism is nothing but [b]“Glorified Cowardice”[/b]. This cowardice is inherent in Hindus.
This is a ugly thing to say but lets accept this as a fact. BJP should device strategies to budget this slave mentality,rather than asking people to leave it.
We should budget following things till that time:
1) Media will be constantly against us,
2) Other than 14% Muslims there would be 10% Christians and both will never vote for BJP courtesy Media and Congress.
3) Lot of Bangladeshi immigrants voting against
4) New generation of Pseudo secular youths fed on Media campaign who aee hating BJP.
We have to win elections out of 50% votes and that too succeptible to caste/liquor/chicken biryani etc. So we have a really tough task.
Hindus have this natural tinge of slavery in them. Sad part is Advani ji wasted his entire life in getting them out of it.
So 2014 also is a bit difficult for BJP to win. BJP should meantime focus on capturing states and providing Good Governance and becoming principal opposition parties in A.P,Orissa,West Bengal.
Indian public has really funny mentality. There were serial Blasts happening. Narendra Modi ji got all of them Caught after Ahemdabad Blast in 2008. Congress was sleeping on it.
Now the weekends have became peaceful and without blasts, but people are more angry and cynical about Modi and BJP rather than Congress. SO this proves the real slave mentality of people which I believe Congress handles very well. BJP has to learn from Congress.
BJP should make Shahnawaj Hussain who is young and from Muslim community as Leader of Opposition for next 2 years. This will cool down Muslims a bit,will give BJP sufficient time for transition.
This will also Puncture Media’s and Congress campaign for painting BJP as communal.
Pseudo Secualrism is nothing but “Glorified Cowardice”. Real seculars do not shout from rooftops. look at U.K and USA.India,Israel and China became Independent at the same time. Look where have Israel and China reached and where are we. Our only competitor is Pakistan, All this is is result of too much Cowardice which
is inherent in us,which we hide behind pseudo secularism. By God’s grace somehow our Army has remained only secular and not pseudo secular and we are able to exist as a nation. May be in long run even that institution is destroyed.
BJP has to factor all these constraints before deciding its strategies.
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This article is one of the few things, I agree with Sudheendra Kulkarni. But for his lack of killer instinct, LK Advaniji would have never retained third rate malpeformers like Sudheendra Kulkarni, a dynasaur, poorly equipped for formulating modern media strategy.
Agreed…in addition; Now we dont have
Lt. Shri Pramod Mahajan g to manage a lot of things…
Since 1992 after the unfortunate demolition of Babri masjid,it has became a norm that Muslims will do tactical voting and will vote in favour of anybody who is going to defeat BJP.This is more prominent in case of States like Uttar Pradesh. This tactical voting has proved disastrous for the state of Uttar Pradesh. We have incompetent governments of Mulayam Singh and Mayawati being voted to power, riding on Muslim votes coupled with their caste votes. Since Tactical voting of Muslims made their victory easier,they were least bothered about any development and focussed more on Film Stars programmes,getting the Mangal Dosha removed of Aishwarya Rai or celebrating their birthdays and collecting funds.
Muslims have some genuine cribbs against BJP. Two majorly,one is the Babri Masjid Demolition and other is Gujrat Riots. I will try to convince in my own humble way how BJP has been punished enough for these mistakes. Babri Demolition happened when Kalyan Singh was Chief Minister. He took a bold decision not to open fire on the KarSevaks.That was an intelligent decision because this issue became prominent only when Mulayam opened Fire and got killed many Kar Sevaks in 1990 which hurted the sentiments of Hindus.
If Kalyan Singh has opened fire that day then may be one Disputed structure would have been saved but then BJP would have been finished and a real Rabid Hindu Extremist Organization would have arrived on scene,which would have been difficult to control. BJP for its shortcomings is a Democratic setup and has been apologetic for last 17 years and have been quite secular in its approach toward minorities while ruling at Centre. BJP has lost many elections because of this issue after that.
Kalyan Singh had resigned after 6th December 2006 but people should not forget that Congress was ruling in Centre. Had anybody from Congress resigned.Manmohan Singh may be shedding Crocodile tears now, but he didn’t resigned at that time as he was enjoying the fruits of Power.Kalyan Singh was punished for 1 day imprisonment for contempt of court,was any Congressi Leader punished.
All the riots attributed to Babri demolition started 3 months later and could not be believed to be an instantaneous reaction. They were well planned and most of the places where they happened, were ruled by Congress Governments(Maharshtra).PV Narasimha Rao’s Government dismissed all the BJP State Governments and since then it has become a big stick to beat BJP.
Second one is the unfortunate Gujrat Riots.Lot has been said on it. Many English News Channel moved up the Value Chain because of Gujrath Riots. Many Journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai and Burkha Dutt built their careers out of Gujrat Riots. This was a blot on NDA Government’s six year rule and the constant propaganda raised by English news Channel was one of the causes of defeat of BJP in 2004 Elections.
I will not go in how that happened or who was fault. I will explain how Narendra Modi carried out his “Raj Dharma” as advised by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.The casuality ratio was 1:3 with 300 Hindus dying and 800 Muslims dying. Now if entire State Machinery was involved then the casulaty of Muslims would not have been so small.These figures are given by Shri Praksh Jaiswal who was a Congress Home Minister. So these can be taken as authentic. Compared to other riots like Bhagalpur or Delhi riots where in a short span some 3000-5000 people died ,Modi Government did a relatively better job. Out of 200 Hindus dead,200 died because of Police firing.Modi used Parammilitary forces to control the riots when neighbouring Congress ruled states refused to give Police Force to control riots. Modi did wrong in using Paramillitary forces as they are not trained to control riots and that resulted in death of 200 hindus in police firing but he has no other option as no neighbouring state was giving police force. So this proves that he had a genuine concern for protecting Muslims.
Media and NGOS like Teesta Stelvad speced up the Gujrat Riot stories for their own Commercial reasons. This created a deep sense of insecurity in Muslims.They have done a great disservice to the Nation, Society and yes even to the Muslims.
Congress has always treated Muslims as having Nuisance value. When you treat a person having nuisance value then only you appease him.Thats why despite 60 years ruled by Congress Muslims are in so desperate state. Muslims in BJP ruled states are much better placed off.BJP beleives in “Justice for all, Appeasement to none”.
Congress gives a false sense of Power to Muslims that they are dominating and robs them from behind. Congress makes the Muslim believe that they are living in Middle East situations and Congress is so subservient to them. This is what British use to do while robbing and making the Indian rulers powerless.
Islam has spread in India by Sufi movement and not by sword. What is unfortunate is that for the Arab Imerialism and the desire to dominate the world of some people,the price is paid by Muslims of Sub continent,be it from Afganistan,Pakistan or India. The Muslims of Pakistan/Afganistan and India should ponder among themselves that why it is they only who are sufferening in the Global War Against terror or for the Global Jihad.
NDA Government tried to maintain best relations with Pakistan. Vajpayee went to Minar-Ae-Pakistan to recognize Pakistan as a reality. Vajpayee Government started the humanitarian initiatives in Afganistan. The best realtionship and peace between India and Pakistan happened between 2002-2005 when NDA was ruling over India or its policies were in effect. Pakistan was definitely more stable and prosperous in NDA’s rule.
Sudheendra Kulkarni is a former leftist and has drifted over to the far right: and this drift itself takes away all his credibility. We have read articles written by him when he was on the “other side” and it would be an interesting exercise to read all his writings: would be an interesting before and after study!
Advani is no Karmayogi: He is one man who has caused more damage to India and the indian polity than anyone else before.
This election was more a rejection of a narrow minded foul mouthed bigot by the electorate. The BJP did not loose: Advani did and dragged the BJP down along with him.
Some karmayogi!
Beware Of Congressis in this Forum !!!
There is a great master trick of Congressis and they have fooled public by this and even Media has learned it quite well. Trick is that you curse Congress a lot but say that others
are equally bad. This is a trick to produce the TINA(There is no other alternative) factor. These kind of people including Media will talk of some shortcommings of Congress and then will paint the Opposition as Real Devil. It is same thing as they did during Bombay Attack of 26/11. Make people cynical of all politicians and the ultomate loosers will be Left and BJP because they stand for something however wrong or right it is. Since Congress stands for nothing ,people can’t hate it strongly and hence it becomes the default choice.
These Congressis can call any one in BJP as Moderate/Leftist based on their convenience and create confusion. A great tactic of Divide and rule.
on 26/11 when our brave commandos were fighting the terrorists at the cost of their lives, BJP politicians like Modi and advani landed there to play politics and make the whole thing a Hindu vs Muslim thing.
Needless to say it backfired. If BJP fellows cant see or understand their own faults there is no hope for the BJP.
I am not calling Sudheendra Kulkarni a leftist: but at the beginnning of his career he certainly was one though today he is singing a different tune. He himself says that.
Basically a bin pende ka lota.