The Indian Election of 2014 (informed ramblings)

[Joel thakkar]

53. Large Amt of info..i have closely studied this election

History Of Narendra Modi and Alternative Party INC



Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister of India (same as US President). He is famous for being the Chief Minister (same as governor of any US state) of Gujarat when 2002 riots happened. A train was burned (or accidentally fired) which carried all hindu travellers coming back from their holy place in a muslim majority/dominated area of gujarat. In retaliation , muslims were attacked in that area and soon hindu-muslims started fighting. As Hindus were more in numbers in the state of Gujarat, about 750 muslims and about 250 hindus were killed in the riots. Critics of Narendra Modi tell that he did nothing to stop the communal riots. However, he has been given clean chit by the Supreme Court of India last year.

If we look at the alternative party, INC - Indian National Congress, the situation is not much better. While they are middle-left leaning party, there has been more communal riots in the rule of INC for example : Mah 1993 riots, Delhi 1984 riots and so on...

INC is usually consider secular party still after many riots in their ruling time.

Also , there is a peculiar case of a Muslim girl who accused of Local INC leaders in Gujarat of bias in pressuring local policemen for arresting more minority (read muslim youth) during the 2002 riots. Due to that pressure, her brother was also arrested and illegally detailed.

After riots were over, Narendra Modi rallied in different parts of Gujarat to regain confidence of people. In one of his rallies, asma started speaking in between ..although crowd tried to stop her..Narendra Modi allowed her to tell her story...after hearing he said he will see what he can do and with in 3 days, her brother was released. After that he joined BJP and he is now actively promoting BJP in muslim dominated areas.

Narendra Modi is mainly seen as an anti-muslim leader instead of anti-minority leader as other minority religion excluding muslims are voting for modi.

BJP has won all the seats with Buddhist religion dominated area..and surprisingly Ladakh (seat) too which has about 95% minority (48% muslims and 47% Buddhist). BJP also is currently ruling in Goa, the most liberal state of India which also has about 30% christian population (Christianity is a minorty religion in India).

But still, BJP has lot to prove themselves as secular due to their past and few sections of their supporter being communal.

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Modi's Policies


1) Renewable Energy - Modi is a big supporter of renewable energy. His govt has made asia's largest solar plant in Gujarat (state of india) and many other projects are under-way. His govt has also approved many projects for Wind energy and tidal energy as gujarat has a long coastline. His party is even planning to introduce solar powered homes in delhi to reduce power bill of many households if they come to power.

Thus, a liberal/left approach by a right-wing party.



2) Gay Sex/ Couples - BJP party president said that he do not approve Gay couples but he also added that this is his personal view. Other senoir BJP leader Arun Jailey said that his personal view is pro-gay sex and said that party do not have any stand currently on this issue

Source : http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/i-am-for-decriminalising-gay-sex-arun-jaitley-to-ndtv/311104

Thus, party is currently divided over the issue and has decided not to take any stand till required. Looks more like a conservative stand but party will be in immense pressure to fully oppose gay sex/couples as youth of india has voted in majority for BJP and as youth are pro-gay they won't like youth to go away from them.

3) Environment :

BJP supports full purification of major indian rivers/lakes and that process also includes preventing factories and other business from dumping toxic and harmful chemical in rivers/lakes..but the sad part is that it is due to religious faith..Hindu religion considers Rivers as Goddess and that's why they have said that it will be one of their biggest priorities to do if they come to power (which they have now)..

Thus, liberal view but still not exactly good basis...but anyways, end result is important.


4) Defence :

Previous BJP Govt implemented NO FIRST USE POLICY of nuclear weapons and they are keen to carry on that policy. They have very tough stand on terrorism and have given warnings to Pak. that trade talks cannot continue if they keep sending terrorists to India. Other than Pak, Mr modi has said that cold war era is over and we should now concentrate on trade relations between countries and forgot about past. He also said in inviting foreign companies to build MADE IN INDIA defence equipments and not to engage in large defence weapons buying spree.

Thus, middle view and not intense like republicans..

5) Privatization

Modi views that everything except few essential commodities like water, sewer, in-city roads..etc..He is also big supporter of bringing private professionalism in govt owned companies. He did make few govt owned companies profitable which were in loss before his rule. He is very pro-business and always give more incentives to set-up industries.

Thus, a full on conservative view..

6) Public Transportation

He is pro-public transportation and implement a UN Medal winning BRTS (Bus Rapid Transport System) in Gujarat. He also plans to expand railways.

Thus, overall a liberal view...

7) Women Rights :

He supports death sentence for rapist/gang-rapist which has become a big problem in India. He also supports implementation of fast track courts for speedy and effective justice. His party is supporting 33% reservation for women in various govt jobs/positions etc and but he is keen for 50% reservation for women. He is personally involved in girl child education programme and encourages for 100% women literacy. However, a small party section also opposes pre-marital sex.

Thus, liberal view but also somewhat conservative element mixed.



8) Drug Usage

Every party is india is against drug usage. However, every party is pro-bhaang (a drink of milk, opium and marijuana) during holi festival.


Conservative view but same stand by all parties in india.


9) Farmers

Thousands of farmers suicide in india every year due to various reasons. One of the biggest reason is low MSP - Minimum Support Price. Govt usually buys the farm grains directly from the farmer. Now MSP of Wheat/Rice is currently at $25-30 per 220 pounds.
Due to price rise of seeds, fertilizers etc..the input cost is now greater than $25-30..which is causing loss to many farmers and they do suicide due to depression and debt.

BJP/Modi govt has promised to introduced a new mechanism which will decide MSP..the formula is Total Input Cost of Farmer + 50% profit = MSP...This is a great step to stop suicides and help millions of farmers to get out of poverty..

However, the irony is that INC (left leaning party) which was ruling for last 10 years..did nothing on this front and their party manifesto (promises for the next 5 years if they make govt) also mentions nothing specific for this...

Thus, a liberal stand..

10) Uniform Civil Code

They are supporting it as Muslim Men can marry multiple times without divorce and even if they take divorce they are not obliged to pay alimony to Muslim women. Thus, it is also a women rights movement

Read Here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Bano_case

The left-leaning party thinks that this uniform civil code will make minority muslim rights taken away (their right of marrying multiple times without marriage and not paying alimony to women) and thus, they oppose it..

I am totally confused in this matter...as why is left leaning party opposing ucc...


11) Climate Change

Narendra Modi thinks that Climate Change is real. His govt was the first in india to form a dedicated ministry for climate change to study the effects and find the possible solutions.

Thus, a liberal view on climate change.