Election 2013/4; Issues & Campaign – Local vs State/National

Election 2013/4; Issues & Campaign – Local vs State/National

By : Amit Bhushan Date: 27th April 2012

The Elections 2013/4 is promising to be- by far the most colourful one, amongst the recent held rituals of democracy in the country. The public for the first time has graduated to ‘listening’ to details from different voices and issues, then just the party slogans thanks in part to the media. Earlier, the elections were perhaps more about ‘promise’; like promise to lay roads, lay electric cables and water lines. This time around the elections are as much about ‘budgeted issues’ like where is my subsidized rice, fertilizer or kerosene or my child’s education; as much it is about ‘promise’. Once in a while, the smarter politicians also manage to expose gaping holes in ‘delivered promise’ like the pathetic road that was washed away, the promised sanitation that never was competed etc. ‘to the delight of their corporate friends’. However the ‘election campaign format’ is perhaps yearning for some colour to make the Elections 2013/4, ‘a complete treat’ for the voters and hold a promise for the campaigner and participants as well.

The raison d’ etre for such energy is the resurgence of ‘opposition’ as it has successfully cornered the ruling dispensation over a host of issues. Added to this is successful projection and public acceptance of better management of ‘opposition’ ruled states. In the elections, the ruling dispensation finds itself tightly entangled with noose of various types primarily one being Mining/coal scam which has led to an ever increasing pile of files which are ‘yet to be cleared’. This is even as the battle to fix responsibility for other report such as the one on Common Wealth Games, Chopper-gate and Telecom mismanagement rages fire for the mandarins running the show. Lack of focus to create productive Jobs for the youth and gross failure to make subsidies reach the target audience (which has met negligible success so far) will remain some of the other woes. The government has unsuccessfully tried to arrange ‘paper shows’ once again, to gain back some support by pushing bills like Insurance amendment, Land acquisition, Food security etc. This is even as ‘executive decisions’ like conditionality on FDI in Retail, Aviation etc. are hastened and the government continues to ‘work with states’ for infra such roads and power as well as Manufacturing zones while it ‘works with RBI’ for Banking licenses.

The above issues are in addition to the issue of price rise and issue of efficacy of the government distribution system for food, fertilizers, LPG & cooking fuels such as kerosene along with primary services such as education and health care are supposedly reaching their nadir in terms of delivery failure due ‘lack of focus on governance’, ‘corruption at political level’, ‘nepotism’ and ‘partial behavior with state’. Corruption in projects leading to public investment turning waste is also amongst issues highlighted by businesses and public. Quite a few of these issues are because of common failure of the government at the state as well as at the center. However much depends upon the readiness of the political persons in the projection of such issues as being failure of the ‘other side’ which is often a function of having better information about administration and projects. Those political people not having ‘experience’ are fast becoming aware of such issues to cope up with election pressures.

What seems to have changed little is the campaign format in spite of so many colourful issues and people in this election. Most parties and campaigner still retain Slogan and lecture format that suits only the established player. It is a format imposed by large parties with a command and control structure to maintain an edge for principal leaders & their primacy of projection ‘national leader’ for the election. Such campaign formats may be of little use for newbie parties which want to represent Aam Admi like ‘every other party’ or for Grass root leaders which have a strong cross-section of people’s support in a constituency or a participant who wants to differentiate his promise or commitment vis-a-vis others. Some of such participants may do much better if they hold town-hall question-answer sessions with voters over issues of prominence in a constituency or a meet the family & friends’ session where voters get to put one or two questions about participant to his family/friends. The election campaigners are yet not choosing their rally formats to highlight their candidate in best possible light and to force competition candidates at a disadvantage even as the equipment for such campaigns is readily available for much lower amounts then what is being spent for elections in say Karnataka. The candidates have struck to bribing voters even though they know that it is of little use since money spent cannot be recouped in case of defeat. This is perhaps because of the lack of awareness or management skills for such campaign or both (even though such formats are a delight for TV shows and are regularly appearing on channels). As far as principal leadership of political parties is concerned, such lack of awareness is bliss for the principal leadership of the national parties. It is time for the political candidates to be aware of various campaign styles and choose one which serves them right.

Most politicians know only about the slogan and lecture format which requires a towering personality around whom a crowd is gathered. The personality is required to deliver a powerful (cover specific hard issue or a passionate emotional appeal) lecture to audience and a Chinese whisper about reverence/mesmerization power of the candidate is built. This is then followed up by the ‘real’ candidate which reverentially ‘bows’ to the principal campaigner with vows to ‘live the promise’.

The question-answer format to the contrast encourages voters to ask ‘relevant questions’ from candidate with candidate delivering ‘requirements/expectation’ of local population as answers. Often questioners are planted amongst public however to be effective the candidate must take 1/3rd of questions from real public. Q/A format may be a better format for well qualified and aware candidate who may force the government candidate as well as other challengers on mat with their answers (without any real debate). The format is more suited to grass root candidates with a gift of the gab.

Another type of Q/A format is ‘meet the family & friend’. This allows candidate to positively reinforce his well connectedness and commitment as he takes simple and light questions from ‘public’ and his well known friends highlight positive qualities and commitment of the candidate. The basis of campaign is high moral character of the candidate. Subtle campaign with a very strong publicity about the candidate along with some other campaign formats such as Manifesto may do the trick provided the competitors lack any real ‘pull’ among masses. Such campaign would try to evict competition with questionable character and background.

Some parties and candidates also invest their time and money in ‘manifesto’, which has often proven to be of little use in India (if used stand alone) due to its limited understanding/readership. A ‘manifesto’ is usually a document of promise along with a ‘roadmap to paradise’ which makes sense only if is tied to ‘ground realities for the government’ i.e. in case such a candidate or party comes to power. If not, the document can be a noose around the neck of the candidate/party serving little political purpose. Usually, all candidates of a political party are supposed to use the document as bible and prove to voters that ‘their bible is sacred’ while others are just hoarse.

Debate is another effective format where a campaigner challenges opponent for debate. The ‘opponent’ at the initial campaign level may be planted by the campaigner and the planted opponent would bow out at a later stage in favour of the campaigner. This allows campaigner to build his image/issues/public opinion. As the candidate’s image is lifted he is challenged by actual candidates due to strong impact and his test starts and off-course the other candidates are tested in the process. Debates are a delight for youth and elderly who get charged up but is not favoured much by working people.

Service camp is another type of campaign where candidate will sit down with his agents to note down ‘issues’ of interest to public and identify those which the candidate can solve with his immediate intervention prior to the elections. The candidate would then hold small local area rally with the beneficiary endorsing the candidate and candidate listing his promise about issues that he would solve ‘if voted to power’. With a strong positive reiteration and public service, this works well for candidates with ‘knowledge’ of local administration and who can rally a large number of workers to work for them.

Survey is another method to campaign. In this method, an ‘independent agency’ is commissioned to administer a ‘structured questionnaire’ to people. The ‘positive results/features’ are widely publicized followed by a whisper campaign reiterating ‘positives’ of the ‘winning candidate’. The candidate then holds small rallies showing how his ‘promises have affected people so far’ and his delivery structure/basis of the ‘way to paradise’. The need to compare with others is usually killed before such rallies. The method is widely preferred by the ‘top’ political leadership & used frequently, but bottom rungs are yet to catch up the game.

While India witnesses a change of electoral practices, it is pertinent that it also sees different campaign styles, that is selected by candidates as per their longing and which suits their best interests. The public will of course have to rely on its wisdom to select best possible candidate as its representative.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

The 2013/4 election cycle was a critical juncture in the political landscape, marked by a significant emphasis on both local and state/national issues. Campaign strategies during this period often oscillated between the two, with candidates and parties attempting to strike a balance that would resonate most effectively with voters. At the local level, issues such as infrastructure development, public safety, and community services took center stage. Local candidates focused on tangible, immediate concerns that directly impacted the daily lives of constituents, such as the need for better roads, improved schools, and increased police presence. These campaigns were characterized by grassroots efforts, town hall meetings, and direct engagement with the community, fostering a sense of personal connection and accountability.

On the other hand, state and national issues dominated the higher echelons of the political discourse. Economic stability, healthcare reform, and national security were among the top concerns. State candidates often aligned themselves with broader national party platforms to garner support and highlight their alignment with larger political ideologies. National candidates, in particular, had to navigate complex and often polarizing topics, such as immigration policy, foreign relations, and the debate over the role of government in the economy. These campaigns were typically more media-driven and resource-intensive, with a focus on broad messaging and national debates.

The interplay between local and state/national issues was evident in the way candidates positioned themselves. Successful politicians were those who could bridge the gap between the immediate, personal concerns of their constituents and the broader, systemic issues facing the country. This required a nuanced approach, where local candidates would advocate for their community's specific needs while demonstrating an understanding of how these issues fit into the larger national context. Similarly, state and national candidates had to show that they were attuned to the day-to-day challenges faced by voters, even as they discussed more abstract, long-term policies. The 2013/4 election cycle thus underscored the importance of both levels of governance and the complex dynamics that shape political campaigns in a multifaceted electoral landscape.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Election 2013/4; Issues & Campaign – Local vs State/National

By : Amit Bhushan Date: 27th April 2012

The Elections 2013/4 is promising to be- by far the most colourful one, amongst the recent held rituals of democracy in the country. The public for the first time has graduated to ‘listening’ to details from different voices and issues, then just the party slogans thanks in part to the media. Earlier, the elections were perhaps more about ‘promise’; like promise to lay roads, lay electric cables and water lines. This time around the elections are as much about ‘budgeted issues’ like where is my subsidized rice, fertilizer or kerosene or my child’s education; as much it is about ‘promise’. Once in a while, the smarter politicians also manage to expose gaping holes in ‘delivered promise’ like the pathetic road that was washed away, the promised sanitation that never was competed etc. ‘to the delight of their corporate friends’. However the ‘election campaign format’ is perhaps yearning for some colour to make the Elections 2013/4, ‘a complete treat’ for the voters and hold a promise for the campaigner and participants as well.

The raison d’ etre for such energy is the resurgence of ‘opposition’ as it has successfully cornered the ruling dispensation over a host of issues. Added to this is successful projection and public acceptance of better management of ‘opposition’ ruled states. In the elections, the ruling dispensation finds itself tightly entangled with noose of various types primarily one being Mining/coal scam which has led to an ever increasing pile of files which are ‘yet to be cleared’. This is even as the battle to fix responsibility for other report such as the one on Common Wealth Games, Chopper-gate and Telecom mismanagement rages fire for the mandarins running the show. Lack of focus to create productive Jobs for the youth and gross failure to make subsidies reach the target audience (which has met negligible success so far) will remain some of the other woes. The government has unsuccessfully tried to arrange ‘paper shows’ once again, to gain back some support by pushing bills like Insurance amendment, Land acquisition, Food security etc. This is even as ‘executive decisions’ like conditionality on FDI in Retail, Aviation etc. are hastened and the government continues to ‘work with states’ for infra such roads and power as well as Manufacturing zones while it ‘works with RBI’ for Banking licenses.

The above issues are in addition to the issue of price rise and issue of efficacy of the government distribution system for food, fertilizers, LPG & cooking fuels such as kerosene along with primary services such as education and health care are supposedly reaching their nadir in terms of delivery failure due ‘lack of focus on governance’, ‘corruption at political level’, ‘nepotism’ and ‘partial behavior with state’. Corruption in projects leading to public investment turning waste is also amongst issues highlighted by businesses and public. Quite a few of these issues are because of common failure of the government at the state as well as at the center. However much depends upon the readiness of the political persons in the projection of such issues as being failure of the ‘other side’ which is often a function of having better information about administration and projects. Those political people not having ‘experience’ are fast becoming aware of such issues to cope up with election pressures.

What seems to have changed little is the campaign format in spite of so many colourful issues and people in this election. Most parties and campaigner still retain Slogan and lecture format that suits only the established player. It is a format imposed by large parties with a command and control structure to maintain an edge for principal leaders & their primacy of projection ‘national leader’ for the election. Such campaign formats may be of little use for newbie parties which want to represent Aam Admi like ‘every other party’ or for Grass root leaders which have a strong cross-section of people’s support in a constituency or a participant who wants to differentiate his promise or commitment vis-a-vis others. Some of such participants may do much better if they hold town-hall question-answer sessions with voters over issues of prominence in a constituency or a meet the family & friends’ session where voters get to put one or two questions about participant to his family/friends. The election campaigners are yet not choosing their rally formats to highlight their candidate in best possible light and to force competition candidates at a disadvantage even as the equipment for such campaigns is readily available for much lower amounts then what is being spent for elections in say Karnataka. The candidates have struck to bribing voters even though they know that it is of little use since money spent cannot be recouped in case of defeat. This is perhaps because of the lack of awareness or management skills for such campaign or both (even though such formats are a delight for TV shows and are regularly appearing on channels). As far as principal leadership of political parties is concerned, such lack of awareness is bliss for the principal leadership of the national parties. It is time for the political candidates to be aware of various campaign styles and choose one which serves them right.

Most politicians know only about the slogan and lecture format which requires a towering personality around whom a crowd is gathered. The personality is required to deliver a powerful (cover specific hard issue or a passionate emotional appeal) lecture to audience and a Chinese whisper about reverence/mesmerization power of the candidate is built. This is then followed up by the ‘real’ candidate which reverentially ‘bows’ to the principal campaigner with vows to ‘live the promise’.

The question-answer format to the contrast encourages voters to ask ‘relevant questions’ from candidate with candidate delivering ‘requirements/expectation’ of local population as answers. Often questioners are planted amongst public however to be effective the candidate must take 1/3rd of questions from real public. Q/A format may be a better format for well qualified and aware candidate who may force the government candidate as well as other challengers on mat with their answers (without any real debate). The format is more suited to grass root candidates with a gift of the gab.

Another type of Q/A format is ‘meet the family & friend’. This allows candidate to positively reinforce his well connectedness and commitment as he takes simple and light questions from ‘public’ and his well known friends highlight positive qualities and commitment of the candidate. The basis of campaign is high moral character of the candidate. Subtle campaign with a very strong publicity about the candidate along with some other campaign formats such as Manifesto may do the trick provided the competitors lack any real ‘pull’ among masses. Such campaign would try to evict competition with questionable character and background.

Some parties and candidates also invest their time and money in ‘manifesto’, which has often proven to be of little use in India (if used stand alone) due to its limited understanding/readership. A ‘manifesto’ is usually a document of promise along with a ‘roadmap to paradise’ which makes sense only if is tied to ‘ground realities for the government’ i.e. in case such a candidate or party comes to power. If not, the document can be a noose around the neck of the candidate/party serving little political purpose. Usually, all candidates of a political party are supposed to use the document as bible and prove to voters that ‘their bible is sacred’ while others are just hoarse.

Debate is another effective format where a campaigner challenges opponent for debate. The ‘opponent’ at the initial campaign level may be planted by the campaigner and the planted opponent would bow out at a later stage in favour of the campaigner. This allows campaigner to build his image/issues/public opinion. As the candidate’s image is lifted he is challenged by actual candidates due to strong impact and his test starts and off-course the other candidates are tested in the process. Debates are a delight for youth and elderly who get charged up but is not favoured much by working people.

Service camp is another type of campaign where candidate will sit down with his agents to note down ‘issues’ of interest to public and identify those which the candidate can solve with his immediate intervention prior to the elections. The candidate would then hold small local area rally with the beneficiary endorsing the candidate and candidate listing his promise about issues that he would solve ‘if voted to power’. With a strong positive reiteration and public service, this works well for candidates with ‘knowledge’ of local administration and who can rally a large number of workers to work for them.

Survey is another method to campaign. In this method, an ‘independent agency’ is commissioned to administer a ‘structured questionnaire’ to people. The ‘positive results/features’ are widely publicized followed by a whisper campaign reiterating ‘positives’ of the ‘winning candidate’. The candidate then holds small rallies showing how his ‘promises have affected people so far’ and his delivery structure/basis of the ‘way to paradise’. The need to compare with others is usually killed before such rallies. The method is widely preferred by the ‘top’ political leadership & used frequently, but bottom rungs are yet to catch up the game.

While India witnesses a change of electoral practices, it is pertinent that it also sees different campaign styles, that is selected by candidates as per their longing and which suits their best interests. The public will of course have to rely on its wisdom to select best possible candidate as its representative.

This piece bears the unmistakable mark of a truly skilled writer. The writing style is captivating, characterized by its vibrant energy and articulate prose that transforms information into an absorbing narrative. It speaks directly to the reader, fostering a deep connection with the content. The structure is a masterclass in organization, leading you through the article's insights with a natural rhythm and sequence that makes comprehension a breeze. This thoughtful arrangement allows for optimal absorption of knowledge. Finally, the clarity throughout is simply outstanding. Each concept is illuminated with such lucidity that understanding is immediate, profound, and entirely unambiguous.