The Electoral Message

The Electoral Message​

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 18th Dec. 2017

Much telecast hours as well as ink has already been wasted and will continued to be wasted analyzing the electoral results. This amount of time and quantity of ink being spent may not have been done normally for what may only be a mid-sized state in India. That the results seem to be on expected lines as was predicted in the article (http://www.managementparadise.com/article/9589/caste-struggle-vs-class-struggle ) and so is the analysis by the veteran journos of the commercial news media who can take full pride to compete with the rhinoceros for richness of the skin. Again ‘identities’ are being shored up while the ‘mudda’ is being put down the drain. However, as a message what seems to have gone home is that the Class struggle theme is something which will have to be accommodated by most Netas and parties for sure, but to what extent might be a question besides, how. And this would perhaps not again be researched by the commercial news media.

Again the pundits of the commercial may want to rally the Netas besides respective senior leadership with the bolstered identities. What that would mean is perhaps to stick to tough postures building up on ‘identities’ or putting down of these ‘identities (of others)’ further rather than focus on ‘mudda/s’. There now would tend to be rising competition amongst the Netas to showcase themselves on the side of ‘Development’ and this is best depicted via a slew of ‘big projects’ for the Netas in government and by highlighting ‘corruption’ or ‘failure events’ by the Netas in opposition. Having informed opinion on any of the ‘mudda’ is seldom a requirement since the record of parliament is seldom questioned or debated on ground by publics more concerned with ‘Aallo-pyaj ka bhav’ or ‘inflation’. However what would shape future electoral fights is the fact about ‘the giants locked in the battle’ and this would allow minnows far away to grow, meaning a growth of the regional Netas, however these Netas by themselves would unlikely be able to shape the broad contour of the overarching theme meaning the ‘Class struggle’. So the Netas wanting to build their case may know at least one way for success although there might be others as well.

Then of course the commercial news media would continue to do its bit i.e. keeping older issues alive like the Ram or Caste related debates, over-blown events raising passion & rage, matters of public disoreder being blown up on government or some party/Neta etc. The connected-ness with the overall theme and with the region of their ‘action’ is more likely a recipe for success rather than ‘Bhakti’ which is served obsequiously by the ‘learned experts’ in the commercial news media. It would fail to take notice that some Netas created individual identities and had to be accommodated (while maintaining their independence) with great reluctance and overall performance of these leaders might have been better when compared to the Bhakti movement Netas with Party Tickets. Lets see the ‘Game’ evolve further…..

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

The electoral message is a critical component of any democratic process, serving as a platform for candidates to articulate their visions, policies, and promises to the electorate. It is through this message that candidates attempt to connect with voters on a personal and ideological level, often highlighting their unique perspectives and the solutions they propose to address societal challenges. A well-crafted electoral message can inspire hope, foster trust, and mobilize support, while a poorly executed one can alienate voters and undermine a candidate's chances of success. In today's increasingly digital world, the delivery of an electoral message has evolved beyond traditional platforms like speeches and printed materials to include social media, online videos, and virtual town halls. This shift has expanded the reach of candidates, allowing them to engage directly with a broader audience and tailor their message to specific demographic groups. However, with this expansion comes the challenge of ensuring that the message is authentic and resonates with a diverse electorate. Candidates must balance the need to appeal to a wide range of constituents with the imperative to maintain a clear and consistent voice. Ultimately, the effectiveness of an electoral message can significantly influence the outcome of an election, making it a cornerstone of political strategy.