Here are the intermediate results of “A Survey of Popular Political Sentiments” which I posted yesterday. The number of respondents was limited to 100 by the free version of SurveyMonkey. The survey continues on “Google Forms.” I am learning how to consolidate the results from the Forms, and will update the results from it later. Below you will find the results of the first 100 responses.
NOTES:
1. This is a long post — certainly the longest so far, and likely not to be exceeded in length anytime soon.
2. Take a look at the numbers for sure and quickly scroll down through the comments. I have not read all the comments yet. I will do that later and write a summary of my findings in a post later.
3. I may even go back and update this post by highlighting specific comments. That is going to be quite a bit of labor. So it may take time.
4. Please feel free to add your comments to this post. Your views matter a great deal and will inform us all.
5. Once again, thank you for taking the time to do the survey. It has helped me understand how people feel about matters that I believe are important. You have my gratitude.
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Showing 70 text responses
No responses selected
I have decided to vote candidates based on a set of criteria. Party affiliation comes at the lowest priority. Till now, I have chosen candidates based on criteria where party affiliation has not figured yet.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
Reasons to support BJP: – Proof of performance by State CMs – Good track record of NDA days as opposed to UPA – Inner democracy ensures even mass leaders in check – Respect for democratic processes and institutions
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
I have never forgiven Indra Gandhi her descendants and their families for all that is wrong in the Country for the last 30 years or so.
5/27/2012 8:32 AMView Responses
Support BJP because it has the answer in Narendra Modi to this nation’s myriad problems
5/27/2012 8:25 AMView Responses
actually before the last ne meet i would have taken the third option but now sensing that some sense may be returning to bjp i have taken the first option.basically i want hindu majoritarian rule to replace the current ‘secular’ dispensation.the current setup is giving a free run to the mulla & xn gundaism a free run in the garb of acting to protect ‘minority aspirations’.
5/27/2012 8:19 AMView Responses
The way bad politcs seemed to prevail in UPA rule which has been the cause of all problems like corrupation.poverty,unemployment,price rise.etc.
5/27/2012 8:17 AMView Responses
There is no differentiator between the two, whether in terms of policies, or the brand of politics they follow.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
Support BJP – merit based party , less corrupt than Congress, puts country ahead of self , progressive industrial policies , vast pool of capable leaders , pro-army , truly secular , only party who can defend India’s interest in international context , capable to provide low inflation 8% growth which is required , can establish “Dharma” in India which is “missing link” in modern India
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
Congress has ruined the nation more than what the colonial Brits did. After all Congress is a party that began during colonial Brit rule. The very idea of divide and rule is as much evident as was then pre-independence thanks to Congress parties greed to remain in power as long as possible, using any means
5/27/2012 8:06 AMView Responses
The BJP needs to do something about the massive skepticism against them. The left-leaning media will try and harm their case as much as possible. They have only 2 years to turn it around. Another Congress-led govt is a BIG NONO.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Cong has always been a party of corruption, nepotiGoingsm and integrity. Going by the performance of the BJP run states one can expect reasonably good governance.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
Hv been traditionally BJP supporter fm RJB days – this UPAI & UPA II hv been the worst govts post independence and Last but not the least BJP has given us a leader and visionary like SHRI NARENDRA MODI who should be the next PM
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
If they promote Narender Modi and put honest candidates in the foray then full support to BJP
5/27/2012 7:50 AMView Responses
Na
5/27/2012 7:49 AMView Responses
Nationalist Party vs Family Owned Party.
5/27/2012 6:45 AMView Responses
Congress is a douchebag party full of criminals. Above all it’s a socialist party! And there is no place even in the worst of hells for India if it doesn’t rid itself of socialism! The BJP is not a paragon of economic freedom either, but the Congress is also virulently anti-majority!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
BJP has some leaders and roots that give hope that it would not be the useless and corrupt government that congress has always been. However, BJP also has encouraged bad apples to join it and its image has been sullied.
5/27/2012 5:48 AMView Responses
There is no future with Congress. BJP is the only , though weak and dependent on Subra. Swamy, opposition . I would rather like to See Mr Swamy and Narendra Modi together than the whole BJP . I hate LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj as they are lazy bastards looking for PM post just because they think they are senior leaders. LKA and Swaraj should let NaMo/+Swamy lead the country in the best interests of India.
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
They have more nationalist people than congress, due to their roots, RSS.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
Both have not so good track records. Both don’t have clear agendas. How can you support something which is not clear?
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
As compared to congress.. BJp is 10000 times better…
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
Nationalist Less Corrupt Right of Centre Economic Policies More democratic
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
Can never vote for a party that does not care for the nation or its people. BJP though not close to ideal is the best bet that we have. But LKA is projected as PM as a protest I might vote for JP Loksatta which always has good candidates(though they never win)
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
1. Modi 2. Highly unlikely interference of religion in policy making
5/27/2012 3:10 AMView Responses
I used to be a strong supporter of BJP, but in the last 4-5 years, their utter lack of direction, energy spent in stalling parliament rather than any creative contributions and total lack of effort in defining agenda has put me off. Still lesser of 2 evils, the contributions of the NDA govt are many, but unrecognised.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
Strongly oppose the Congress party because in its present form, it is against all of India’s national interests and objectives. Support the BJP (not strongly support) as it is a better and viable alternative to the Congress. Will strongly support the BJP after they unequivocally announce Narendra Modi as their prime ministerial candidate for the next general elections.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
They managed the economy far better than UPA. Created long term infrastructure.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
BJP leadership has acted spineless in the recent past. It is not clear what their real agenda for growth and development is. Sometimes they sound pro business but sometimes mired in ancient India morals. I particularly despise Shushwa Swaraj, Advani and Jaitley. They are good orators but they didnt speak on issues that every concerend India wanted to ask and know about.. esp. point blank corenering Antonia Maino, Chidambaram, Pranab and most importantly Manmohan Singh.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
Congress had plenty of chances of plundering India and it’s time to give others the chance. We might also get lucky if Modi is allowed to lead and that might become the single-most important factor in escaping the vicious circle of poverty, bad governance and human misery. Congress is proven to be anti-national and it’s more of a vte of anti-congress than pro-bjp but that is our best bet.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Because BJP has Narendra Modi, the greatest administrator India has ever seen
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
Centre-right economic, greater infrastructural spending, smaller Govt, more federal, spending on India’s future instead of spending India’s future income on present.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
The day when I cast my First Vote sometimes ago 1998 i voted for BJP, and do the same throughout today…In my view with BJP and particularly Narendra Modi….we can clear some mess does by the Cangress. In my view Cangress that we know before independence and today’s are entire different entity. Its a dangerous party which has only one mission……..Loot the India
5/27/2012 12:44 AMView Responses
Policies of BJP have never been coherent. The party often shows a confused stand on multiple issues and opposition to the ills of the incumbent UPA have come more from the junta that the party with a difference. More than my love for BJP, it’s the hatred i have for INC! BJP has some good leaders i agree and their view is nationalistic but i hope they reinforce themselves more strongly. Their voters and the nation needs to know what they stand for!
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
Atanu, you prachaarak, you left out this one option: I don’t support Congress, but I do strongly oppose the BJP. BJP has the Hindu cultural and political nationalism at its base and core. BJP ranks and file, except for a thin layer at the top and a local oddity here and there, are all religious bigots, thugs, goonDaas, etc. Worse: Congress keeps everything and everyone confused, and hence, is slow in personally attacking someone like me. BJP fuckers think that they know the truth, determine me to be an enemy, and psychically and IB- and RAW-wise attack me. They actually did. Even to a middle class engineer like me. Why the fuck should I encourage them?
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
Because the congress needs to be sent into oblivion for their arrogence abd their callousness
5/27/2012 12:35 AMView Responses
Furthered economic liberalisation between 98-04.
5/27/2012 12:26 AMView Responses
Congress has failed; highly corrupt, harming our country and causing permanent damages; openly sidign with minorities and against Hindus. If NaMo
5/27/2012 12:23 AMView Responses
Actually, I’m skeptical of any elected government operating at the scale of India. Power corrupts & Democracy tends to route the power of many into hands of a few. Corollary: Democracy fails ‘at scale.’ In my opinion, the world needs not just “bicycle-commute” economies, but also “bicycle-commute” governments to organize multi-faceted society. At the very least, it will reduce the scale of f-ups that politicians who (almost universally) refuse to do arithmetic are bound to repeat.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
Fedup with the non-sense of the Congress over the last 8 years. i can give 101 reasons. But, to give a few – Pathetic foreign policy, crawling to Pakistan, Hinduphobia, dictatorial rule, hounding and prosecution of individual whistleblowers, and most important everything is becoming so expensive costs spiraling out of control. To add salt to injury, the “Dr Manmohan Singh is an honest economist” chorus.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
Need I explain, Sir?
5/27/2012 12:13 AMView Responses
BJp is democratic and rewards merit and hard work. It is rooted in Indian Ethos. It is least corrupt of all parties in India. Whenever it has ruled it has been development oriented and works on the principle of teaching people to fish instead of giving them fish.
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
BJP with its infighting and lack of clear leadership will end up causing more trouble similar to UPA
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
As you said Atanu, in democracy we have to choose between bad & lesser bad.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
electoral democracy is flawed in india. the police, the judiciary and the bureaucracy are fully corrupted and inefficient. poverty and caste are crucial factors for people making decisions while voting. no political party can do anything as long as this continues. the solution–reorganising india into 25 metros, 25 cities, 25 states ruled by upper castes, 25 states by sc/ st/ dalits, 25 union territories, 3 autonomous states, all called the federation of india that will elect a president.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
I am ideologically opposed to communist and leftist policies and BJP is the only alternative. plus track record of successful execution from the past.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
NaMo
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
Only party that cares for majority
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
BJP has had a record of development and less of entitlement politics in their brief history. Hence they get the support. However, they have been of late acting like spoilt brats – infighting, and hence not a strong support.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
I strongly support BJP because i hope that NaMo will be their Prime Minister candidate. He is incorruptible and a man with spine. India urgently needs a leader like NaMo
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Both are full of dishonest, corrupt individuals with no integrity, ethics, vision or at the very least competence.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
BJP is a nationalist party and is its victory in the coming elections is necessary to strengthen the economy.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Corruption, premature welfarism, devoid of intellectual platform, dynastic rule of Congress. Issues with BJP but lesser of two evils
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
India values, Opposition to Psuedo secularism/minoritism, bad policies and corruption of UPA, Vision documents of BJP are very good
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
1) Economic policies are different from what little we have seen of the NDA government and in some BJP states like Gujarat. 2) Lot more cadre driven without allegiance to one family. 3) In the current scenario where Hindus are being openly discriminated I hope they will stand up for us.
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
I feel congress policies r a bit screwed becoz of their problems with dealing their regional party supporters.For me,BJP just doesn’t seem like a national party.They have failed as an opposition more than congress did as a ruling party
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
I oppose congress more than I support BJP. However, we don’t have an alternative to them. Six months ago, I would have said I strongly support BJP
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
My opposition of congress comes before my support of BJP. Since BJP is the only alternative to congress, i support it
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Anyday for a wholly Indian democratic party!
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
Congress is the most useless party and shall be thrown in the Bay of Bengal. BJP – Immature. I favour due to TINA factor
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
I am not happy with the way UPA2 has handled the economy. It is mired in corruption and its inability to take well needed decisions has cost us a lot. But the BJP’s record as an opposition is not awe-inspiring either. Its mindless opposition of some of the genuine reforms like FDI in retail for political gains only shows its petty-mindedness. If it cannot prove itself as a good opposition even when the Congress is scoring self goals, i am not sure it will prove to be good when at the helm.
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
In agreement with concerns related to Security and Economic development. And besides, they are not as corrupt as Congress.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
Cong Demerits: Utter misgovernance. Stranded with policy paralysis. Family/dynasty influence in political arena. Serious corruption charges. Lack of interest in legal proceedings against corruption charges.
5/26/2012 10:42 PMView Responses
I like the speak of dvelopment that BJP leaders do unlike the Congress which speaks of minority reservations
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
The Congress party has no vision for the nation and is led by one of the most shady people in world politics today, Sonia Gandhi.
5/26/2012 10:34 PMView Responses
Congress with its 70s mentality is a definite no – but then does BJP even have an ideology? – every leader wants to run things his/her own way. So unless BJP gets its act right, I am not supporting them.
5/26/2012 10:21 PMView Responses
India needs leaders whom people can look up to. Great leaders bring about not only policy change but can influence the moral fabric of society – something India desperately needs. Narendra Modi is the reason I support BJP.
5/26/2012 9:33 PMView Responses
Congress + Nehru dynasty is the reason this country is in such a mess. BJP is the only way forward. Stronger and better leaders will evolve as we go along.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
1) Even though the national leaders of BJP might not be that good, the regional leaders (and their allies) are better than they are for Congress. In the next decade or two in India, we should see a stronger move towards federalism (which is seen by the rise in regional parties), which may not be a bad thing. We should see a bigger impact by state policies and a bigger impact on national policies by joint recommendations from states. 2) BJP leaders are at least invested in the country, unlike the leaders of Congress. 3) There are too many negatives of the Congress to list out.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
I believe in disinvestment and infra spending over populist policies like nrega. Track record shows BJP delivered it.
5/26/2012 8:01 PMView Responses
Congress will take India back to stoneage. Although BJP is only marginally better as a party, there are a few individuals in BJP with great promise.
5/26/2012 8:00 PMView Responses
Showing 91 text responses
No responses selected
I do not vote a congress or a BJP. I vote a candidate. So this question does not apply.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
With 2 years remaining, if Congress brings in a strong leader as PM (any left?), the Government distances itself from politics at 10 Janpath, the CBI is made independent with absolutely NO interference from the Government.
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
Not really likely. But am perturbed with a few developments within the party and hope they are able to weed out the wrong deeds and policies in the party.
5/27/2012 8:32 AMView Responses
Dont think will change my mind
5/27/2012 8:25 AMView Responses
nothing can change my mind for supporting the congis.if bjp under sh modi fails to live upto my aspirations i’ll certainly look for an alternative sans seculars.
5/27/2012 8:19 AMView Responses
Its seems to be this time there will be no change in our minds as situation is worsening with this govt. with lots of scam arising.
5/27/2012 8:17 AMView Responses
Any party who shows the will to make change…who talks about implementing reform,and bringing transparency to the way the govt functions.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
I will oppose BJP if they follow Congress policies like dynastic policies and practise Congress brand of Secularism which is appeasing select religion/ caste groups , Or if start practising crony capitalism or if they put party ahead of country
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
I never have had to worry about changing my mind w.r.t support to Congress. I either voted for BJP or have never voted at all.
5/27/2012 8:06 AMView Responses
Nothing. Another UPA govt is untenable. And we dont want another 1977 to happen ( followed by a 1980)
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Nothing
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Nothing will change my mind.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
nothingggggggggggg
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
oppose Congress always Will oppose BJP if they betray public of what they promised.
5/27/2012 7:54 AMView Responses
Corruption,, Governance
5/27/2012 7:50 AMView Responses
No
5/27/2012 7:49 AMView Responses
Their priorities and response to national issues
5/27/2012 7:48 AMView Responses
Long held Economic Reforms
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
if Narendra Modi were to leave BJP AND Sonia Gandhi were to leave Congress.
5/27/2012 7:30 AMView Responses
Will Never Support the congress till it is controlled by the Fake Gandhi Family
5/27/2012 6:45 AMView Responses
If the BJP no longer counters the anti-majorityism of the Congress it will lose my support! If the Congress pursued a policy of limited government, decentralisation, non-protectionism, etc., AND gave up anti-majorityism, it will gain my support! But that can happen only in my dreams … Antonia Maino and her cohorts are out to rape India and their poor! So no change in my position as of now.
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
if BJP were to adopt a policy of chucking out all corrupt and criminal politicians from its ranks. Nitin Gadkari does not inspire confidence. if it were to bring some one dashing who creates hope if congress were to bring in lokpal bill without diluting it.
5/27/2012 5:48 AMView Responses
If BJP chooses to project LKA or Sushma as their PM, I will be as confused voter as LKA/Sushma itself. Another factor is if Congress takes action against Sonia/Raul/Vadra for coruption, I will definitely vote for Congress
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
If, Congress doesn’t help anti-nationals, follow the path of dharma and care for its people, not special sections of society. But it wouldn’t change within a day,would like to see action on ground and then will I act accordingly.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
Clear agendas based on sound principles and execution.
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
There is no changing in mind as for as congree is in power.. Such an arrogant shameless corrupt2daBottom, dangerous Poisoning, antinational party congress
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
More transparency in BJP; Inner party democracy Clarity on vision Sharp differentiation on policies
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
If the ruling party is not able to keep the cause for improvement India above their party agenda, and they are not able to curb corruption and impose rule-of-law
5/27/2012 4:26 AMView Responses
It is unlikely to be event driven. I think political parties are what they are because of their DNA, and a whole eco system of rent extraction evolves and flourishes around it, which will not change overnight. Hence difficult to change my mind.
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
Never going to vote for Congress. If Modi is projected as PM, then my vote to BJP is a done deal.
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
Any political party that can assure that they can bring in a common civil code, end the doles, put up a fight against corruption, improve law and order bring about reforms, that would be a viable option to the BJP. Don’t see that happening.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
1. Interference on freedom of expression 2. Considering religion for bills and policies of the state
5/27/2012 3:10 AMView Responses
Lessening of support to BJP mentioned above. Was never a Congress supporter except during Narasimha Rao phase whom I rate as an unsung hero.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
I would support the Congress party if there is a new crop of pro-India, and credible leadership team with a track record and clear ideas on how to take India forward. There is really no alternative to supporting the BJP in the next general elections, as supporting the Congress once more would seriously jeopardize this and the next generation’s future.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
Gandhi family taking political sanyas and BJP abandoning democratic values of the nation.
5/27/2012 2:53 AMView Responses
If the BJP is not able to do to India, what it has done in Gujrat (wrt economic development)
5/27/2012 2:14 AMView Responses
Their stance on corruption and commitment to the economy.
5/27/2012 2:09 AMView Responses
No hope from Congress in correcting it’s ways. If BJP starts playing populist politics and does not act strong enough in tackling corruption, I will have to start supporting some other party or some independents.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
I was always pro BJP and still am. Congress will and can do only more harm to India. BJP can be given a chance.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
Nothing in reasonable realm of possibilities but if a majorly reformist attitude takes over at congress with enlightened leadership and BJP dumps modi for nutcases like uma bharti as leader… then yeah.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
If BJP does not anoint NAMO as the Prime Minister, There woud be no reason to continue to support either BJP or Congress, for they both would then be same
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
Riots if triggered by BJP affliated organizations like VHP and Bajrang Dal
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
Corruption
5/27/2012 12:53 AMView Responses
My support for BJP is unwavering. Like i said earlier, i guess BJP is a lot lesser evil than INC.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
That’s an impossibility. But since you ask: BJP officially and actually giving up on Hindutva, and then also learning about what Capitalism really means. (Hint: It doesn’t mean filling up the coffers of a few Gujarathi, Marwari and similar fuckers by sacrificing rational men and smartly using the same fucking government machinery as put in place by Indira Gandhi.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
If BJP starts misbehaving like Congress I’ll change my mind
5/27/2012 12:35 AMView Responses
There is no secondary opinion of mine on this
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
Drastic economically prudent decisions taken in next few months
5/27/2012 12:26 AMView Responses
If NaMo isnt the PM candidate, i may not go and vote. But i wont vote for CongI
5/27/2012 12:23 AMView Responses
A scorched earth policy.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
It the BJP becomes supporters of “Aman Ki Asha” by surrendering Siachen/Sir Creak, they go soft on Jihadis and Maoists, make ridiculous rhetorics on “Social Engineering / Social Justice” and start dividing the country on cast lines, show a tendency to intrude in private individuals life-style etc.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
Sonia Gandhi becoming BJP President. Manmohansingh/Rahul Gandhi as BJP’s PM candidate.
5/27/2012 12:13 AMView Responses
If Congress becomes a democratic party and has economic policies which are not left oriented . however Cong has to divest itself of the dynasty. I may reconsider my support to BJP mif it becomes a personality led party rather than a democratic party.
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
Clear vision and display commitment to implement plans to achieve the vision instead of being just another political party which will oppose every single thing ruling party will do
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
I would never support congress, let them dissolve the party. I will support that cause. A party which can’t do a bit for the nation after occupying the PM seat from 60 years also, who can hope for the change. I support BJP somewhat, but it seems they want to become congress part-2. If they skip their ideology for vote bank. i will switch to other party.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
if sonia gandhi quits politics–for the congress. if n modi becomes p m and refrains from talking about religion, caste and community–for the bjp.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
Hmmm…tough one, but if I see Congress policies tend to the national interest, create less communal and entitlrment policies, tackle pakistan and the terror problem,act against corruption, and give a string leader like PVNR I would think about changing my pref.
5/26/2012 11:46 PMView Responses
If the BJP starts spouting off about hindutva and other irrelevant nonsense.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
if bjp and congress exchange their names, i’ll support congress.lol
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
Unlikely coz that’s how much I despise Congress
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
Two independent things: 1. Modi’s candidature comes under a shadow, and 2. Cong suddenly starts reforms sincerely.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
If BJP succumbs to coalition compulsions and couldn’t project NaMo as their PM candidate then i may vote some regional party or good independent candidate.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
I could vote for the BJP if they choose candidates with integrity and good economic sense.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Not declaring Narendra Modi would cause me to change my support.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
If Congress adopts Swatantra Party ideas of free market, embraces genuine secularism, stomps on corruption, does away with quotas (in phases), and rewards merit in the country as well as its own ranks.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
no change
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
if effective governance is compromised
5/26/2012 11:19 PMView Responses
Narendra Modi leading the Congress.
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
My stance on BJP will change only when they get rid of their religious identity.I believe,more than policies,inefficiency in governance,it’s the religious intolerance which in the long run may prove 2 be costly for india. Also if BJP can at-least now focus on their own manifesto rather than just opposing 2 wtever congress does,I may change my opinion on BJP
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
I’d vote for any party that puts national security, Hindu civilizational assertion and economy above all. Today that party is BJP. If BJP lets go of these, they’d lose my support. Congress will never get my support because they’ll never put national interest above a Family.
5/26/2012 11:14 PMView Responses
Nothing would change my opposition to Congress. I already have years of information about what they are and what they are not. My support for BJP will probably be much stronger if I see a more cohesive – plan, communication strategy and leadership.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Development perhaps..
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
If the Cong can be democratic rather than dynastic & be Indian rather than divide us into parts just to rule. However, that won’t happen. Buddhu baba kya karega phir! 😉
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
If BJP continues to have useless leadership or Congress gets into the hands of a better leader.
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
If in the remaining 2 years the Congress shows intent and political will to usher in good governance and strong reforms, i might vote for the congress. Also, if the BJP proves to be a good and responsible opposition in face of the continuing dilly-dallying of the Congress, my vote will go to the BJP. All boils down to the next 2 years.
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
26/11 was defining moment. Prior to that I voted along with “Founding Fathers”
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
I would support BJP over Congress at the current scenario. For me to support Congress, it must > give away the dynasty (eliminate the Gandhis and Vadera) from party positions. > award leadership upon merit. > have a Prime Minister ready to listen and speak. > show transparency in policy decisions > act with a sense of ownership over the nation and concern national interest over self interests. > stop its minority politics. > act with integrity and zero corruption. > act against those found/alleged to be corrupt.
5/26/2012 10:42 PMView Responses
I have firmly decided BJP deserves a chance in 2014.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
If Congress gives up 1. Communal politics. 2. Shows real intent to reform our economy. 3. Gets rid of the Nehru-Maino family for good.
5/26/2012 10:34 PMView Responses
The Leader and Election campaign that decides the Credibility of alternative
5/26/2012 10:33 PMView Responses
Congress – nothing. Will oppose. BJP – Lacklustre leadership. Lack of cohesiveness.
5/26/2012 10:32 PMView Responses
congress is destroying hindus and hindu culture / assets systematically . so i hate congress.
5/26/2012 10:28 PMView Responses
Fielding lousy candidates
5/26/2012 10:27 PMView Responses
Economic policies and effective leadership
5/26/2012 10:21 PMView Responses
My lower degree of support for BJP willl change only if modi becomes the PM candidate, I really don’t see much difference between BJP and congress.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
Nothing.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
I will choose the Congress if they dissolve the parliament today and call for snap elections. I will choose the BJP if the announce Modi as their PM candidate. Reason: either will show their commitment to India’s development over anything else.
5/26/2012 9:20 PMView Responses
If Congress moved away from the Gandhi family, from sycophancy, from psedo-secularism, towards more regional, diverse, dispersed leadership, I would consider them. If BJP cannot create a cohesive whole from their disparate state leaders, they won’t exist as an option at the national stage. If their leadership continues their current decline, they again won’t be a good option.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
If Congress were to follow principle of good governance, such as uphold rule of law, small government, and low taxes, and stop pandering to minorities.
5/26/2012 8:23 PMView Responses
Less sycophancy and eliminate Gandhi Basra family from politics
5/26/2012 8:01 PMView Responses
A party that is controlled by a foreigner will never have my support. The loyalty to India of anyone who supports such parties must be suspect. That being said if congress throws out the gandhi nehru family and is reborn then it has a chance…but I’m not holding my breath for that to happen. On the other hand with BJP becoming another congress, I’ll look for other alternatives
5/26/2012 8:00 PMView Responses
I do not know whether Gujrat has really progressed or is it hype. I do not know whether Modi is culpable in killings or is it hype. However there is definitely a lot of newsprint dedicated to both the above mentioned line of thought. Hence Modi is an interesting candidate. I won’t mind giving him a chance.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
Inspite of dogged persuasion of vested interests and also the entire might of the Indian law system, Modi has emerged unscathed from the shadows of 2002. In these 10 years he has made Gujarat into an economic powerhouse and demonstrated what is a known truth, as also the correct course of action for India, that disparities are closed with ensuring economic progress and opportunities for all, and not through politics of entitlement.
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
Modi has to work to get his acceptance across the Country and across all parties. His personal integrity notwithstanding, he is seen as hawkish and also always willing to put his own agenda ahead of the party. His recent interactions like demanding the sidelining of Sanjay Joshi, not so cordial relationship with Advaniji, etc are sending disturbing signals and does not point to a statesman in the making.
5/27/2012 8:32 AMView Responses
given above.
5/27/2012 8:19 AMView Responses
I want Modi to next PM with absolute majority to BJP so that he can establish Gujrat development model all over country.Better economic policies need to formultaed to strengthen country economy.
5/27/2012 8:17 AMView Responses
None of the above. I dont mind Modi or Rahul Gandhi as the PM, so long as they have the mandate (i.e. they are projected as PMs by their respective parties before elections, and receive votes based on that). No backdoor entries ala Dr. MMS please!
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
at present only Namo only deliver from BJP what I elicited earlier. He is single , clean , pro-India , pro- Industry , pro-People , pro-army . We need Namo for atleast 2 terms to dig India out of the hole Congress has sunk us in.
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
He’s proved his case as an administrator.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
He has shown a Lot of maturity during all the time he was persecuted.has come out a winner as a politician. Has proven to be a good administrator.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
With the 10 yr governance Narendra Modi has shown tht good development is good politics – would love to see India advance in all respects as GUJ has advanced in last 10 yrs
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
Modi has proved with his work in Gujarat But i want Dr Swamy as PM in NDA govt 🙂 (no option here )
5/27/2012 7:54 AMView Responses
Would have preferred a Jaitley led BJP but not being a mass leader disqualifies him. Would have liked Modi being in the race post a probable acquittal by the Supreme Court. But don’t see a better alternative to him at the moment in BJP, so will pick him anyways. My reason for supporting the BJP is the UPA. Enough said.
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
there is sufficient coherent information on nehru to make me bleieve he was not Chacha nehru…i think he helped british rape this country. and the family is misusing gandhis name. gandhi himself may habe been a “satya ka pujari” kind of man…but i dont think he was good politician for india..i think he was somewhre biased in his own logics for truth.
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
Modi is the Best Person to Lead India
5/27/2012 6:45 AMView Responses
Modi has shown progress concretely in Gujarat! While the Congress, starting from Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru down to Antonia Maino are a bunch of ineffective idiots or worse! It is clear where the support of any right-thinking person would lie!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
Modi is one of the most efficient and able leader. I don’t give a damn about what happened in riots. even if he is guilty, in the larger interest of the country, we need to bring him on board.
5/27/2012 5:48 AMView Responses
Very few congis (non nehru/gandhi) ahve been allowed to emerge as a leader.
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
Anyone except Modi would do and this is absolutely not based on Gujarat Riots or its aftermath. Whatever he did during that time was the best anyone else could have had done in that situation.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
It is worth a try.
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
Decisive leader. Focussed on development Does not pander to religious and caste blocks Has a vision more importantly and the ability to pursue them
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
India needs a very strong leader with vision to tackle all the huge problems it now faces. Poverty, external and internal threats, realization of potential of young India
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
It has been a well scripted act to taint Modi. If Modi was bad, it would have come out. Also he believes in getting things done and he has proven track record of reforming a state that was pushed back due to natural calamities, political instability and the riots. Rahul gandhi has no such track record and from whatever speeches he has made, he comes across as a vote bank targetting politician rather one who can take along every-class forward. Congress has forgotten than upper-classes, business houses and economically forward Indians are also Indians.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
My major worry is that Modi is too authoritarian a figure who keeps control to himself. While that may work in states (Jayalalitha for eg), at Centre where demands on Govt are diverse (Foreign relations, defence, etc), it will be difficult to do everything yourself. Whether he has the ability to get things done thru ministers like Vajpayee/ Rao remains to be seen. Will he the confidence to delegate to people like Vajpayee did with Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha , Jaswant Singh (their younger equivalents) remains to be seen. Can he manage give and take? Still the TINA factor is in his favour.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
Narendra Modi has a solid track record of delivering positive outcomes for his state in the last 10 years. The outcomes that he has delivered seems to be unmatched by anyone else in India since 1947. Nobody else in India seems to be even in the same league. I wonder with amazement as to what can be achieved on a national scale if he is the prime minister of India for a period of 10 years or more.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
Agenda set by development. Genuine break from Delhi-based politics.
5/27/2012 2:53 AMView Responses
He is against identity politics and moreover has a proven track record of good governance and good economic growth.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
Only Modi speaks his mind out. Rest are double forked.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
BJP without mode can be still less harmful than Congress but Modi at the helm is probably the only chance India has in the near future to embark on a path of living with dignity.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Dont mind Modi, but since many are suspicious of his role, I would prefer a Arun Jaitley.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
Because of Gujarat
5/27/2012 12:53 AMView Responses
I am a great fan of Modi or his leadership skills and no-nonsense attitude but he will have to ensure that if at all he becomes the PM of India in 2014, his stand is always inclusive. He has been projected very adversely and negatively by the English media for almost a decade now. I was a great fan of Sushma Swaraj, I still am! Actually it’s the party that matters to me. Modi would be good but even if Sushma, Arun or for that matter even Advani were to become PM, i would be absolutely fine with it.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
No comments. Reasons might be obvious to you by now.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
I may not agree with Modi’d hindutva-ness, but its time this country had an incorruptible and strong leader who is passionate about progress
5/27/2012 12:35 AMView Responses
I would prefer if Dr.Swamy is also taken on board alongwith Namo
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
Performance in Gujarat
5/27/2012 12:26 AMView Responses
I’d rather pick Jigme Thinley, but since that’s not possible, and since you supply no choice of leaders with backbones, I’ll pick Subramaniam Swamy. And if you still refuse to provide the choice, then Modi it shall reluctantly be (I don’t think his methods will work in a non-Gujarat context/scale.) Political parties, not unlike people, need backbones and balls to do what is right.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
Why not Modi?
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
So obvious.
5/27/2012 12:13 AMView Responses
As long as it is a BJP govt and whoever leads it is elected fairly. I will accept it.
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
Modi seems to have done wonders in Gujurat and has the capabilit but the godhra incident is the problem. Can you entrust the nation to a person like him? well what are the alternatives..? Rahul ?
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
No better person than him as if now to lead country, he may be accused of being authoritarian but will serve the best to India.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
we need somebody who’s not corrupt and with experiene running a state plus, most importantly, no dynasty to cater to.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
India needs a strong leader who we know based on his actions is non corrupt and wil act in the interest of the nation
5/26/2012 11:46 PMView Responses
Execution. But I am somewhat conflicted. I do not want to vote for Hitler, and I am not 100% sure that Modi is not a fascist.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
the usual.
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
in the past 10 yrs, Modi has gained trust as a good leader. In the same time, UPA has lost trust. So, Modi it is.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
Frankly, no one can come anywhere close to NaMo in terms of leading the Govt. His brilliance is already proved in Gujarat.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
It is time to put the much ballyhooed riots behind us. At least, Modi seems to understand the need for economic growth and is, I believe, decisive.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Narendra Modi has a proven record of good governance in Gujarat.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Everyone – Brookings, NYT, Ratan Tata – think Gujarat is a success story. I hope Modi can repeat that at a national level. Worried about his Hindutva image, but willing to accept innocence until proven guilty.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
development model from Gujarat.
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
1) The belief (not hope) that the economic change that what we’ve seen in Gujarat will be replicated across the country. 2) Modi will not favour one religion over the other – read sucking up to ROP and ROL and openly discriminate against Hindus.
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
Since I prefer congress…y not a Nehru-Gandhi dynasty 2 lead congress ? at-least they r the ones with whom very common ppl can identify with..i prefer sonia gandhi as my PM,after nehru..best in their line
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
Modi represents the very antithesis of everything that’s wrong with Indian politics. 2 terms with Modi as PM and India will arrive globally.
5/26/2012 11:14 PMView Responses
Continuing from my earlier point. Modi seems to be our only hope because he has a clear plan for the improvement of Indians and proven leadership skills.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
No, not again…giving UPA second chance was a blunder…giving it third chance i wonder what to call it !!
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
That guy has a plan & acts! And yes…believes in India’s larger interest !
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
Modi has porven his ability. Very sincere guy. Need to reduce his dictatorial style.
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
Not a big fan of Modi. But not averse too. No opposition to a dynasty-led Congress govt.
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
I would like a strong Leadership, Cong-Nehru-Gandhi nexus needs to be kicked out. Don’t want to be represented by a moron, who thinks its his birth right to become India’s PM
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
A Modi led BJP is the most desirable. Even otherwise a BJP powered government is a better alternative to the Gandhi dynasty influenced government. A congress government where there is no influence of the Gandhis is also welcome, but not as much as the former two.
5/26/2012 10:42 PMView Responses
If you are not being able to establish Modi’s legal culpability no point cribbing about it. I want a leader who is firm,decisive. I a not going to fall in this garb of secularism.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
Modi seems like the most qualified person for the top job.
5/26/2012 10:34 PMView Responses
i dnt want another india to bcum another N K .
5/26/2012 10:28 PMView Responses
Modi appears to be a strong leader, yet often is isolated within his own party. If we need the country to progress, it is better to have a team of good individuals rather than just one – and for that Modi may have to step aside.
5/26/2012 10:21 PMView Responses
Clear vision, tough, capable of enormous change, powerful drive. Will bugger the rotten Kkkangress permanently. Will keep minorities in their place.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
Refer to my answer above
5/26/2012 9:20 PMView Responses
Its not all important for me that Modi be PM, but its about time he had a key role in the national stage. If he were second in command, that would be just fine. That arrangement might well be more palatable to the pseudo-secularists and he could then move on to becoming PM in the subsequent elections.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
Modi has decisive leadership focussed on growth
5/26/2012 8:01 PMView Responses
I vote because I believe one vote may make a difference. It also gives me a feel-good-punch.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
I think the time when we could stand aside and blame politicians for everything is gone. Every citizen needs to take a side and read, talk and discuss about it to make us a better informed society that makes the right choices.
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
Nothing really to explain. I believe it is our duty to cast our vote.
5/27/2012 8:32 AMView Responses
I will vote as each single vote voted against UPA will give a fitting reply to this govt.only just outrage on social media will not work we need to use every single opportunity we get to use our voting right.
5/27/2012 8:17 AMView Responses
I vote for candidates, not parties. So, as long as I feel a candidtae deserves my vote, I will go out and vote.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
Voting is the only way by which we can express support or oppose the policies practised by govt of the day
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
I’m not in India right now and I haven’t voted before. If I am in the country in 2014 AND can cross the red-tape to get a voters, then I will vote. I wont go out of my way to persuade others , that’s none of my business.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Our vote is precious. If don’t vote someone else will vote on our behalf and corruption will be there in our name.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
have always voted
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
I will vote as w/o voting i have no right to comment on Any govt
5/27/2012 7:54 AMView Responses
not very hapy to say, i am quite pessimistic about voting. but spreading the word and talking about it is more likely to bring good changes in teh future.
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
I’d like to think that my vote against the Congress is like spitting at its face! But I know that it’s a totally futile gesture as of now, as elaborated in Bryan Caplan’s book!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
I will because it is wrong to blame if you are not doing your bit.
5/27/2012 5:48 AMView Responses
I am not in India presently. When I was in India, frankly, it seemed a difficult project- getting the Voter ID, queuing at booth against possible dangers, possibility that your name would not be listed at the booth despite having Voter ID
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
Right and duty towards nation.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
It’s not too hard to vote. Even if it doesn’t help, it doesn’t hurt either.
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
I will vote because I realize that unless we don’t exercise our choice, we are unlikely to see the kind of governance we want. Look at what we got in UPA1 & 2.
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
If we don’t vote, what right do we have or criticizing the political parties? Also I as an individual have been entrusted with the duty to help elect a govt that can take this coutry forward. I have always believed that voting is not a right, but a duty to the country that I call my own.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
Since the last 3 elections, I was based overseas.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
I will vote in the next general elections because there is no excuse for middle class apathy any more. The only reason why I do not vote regularly is because my home town is Chennai, and I have lived and worked in different Indian cities over the last 7 years. I wish there were a way in which I could vote even though my permanent and present address are different.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
Otherwise I feel impotent. How will I truthfully argue in debates about the country?
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
I only blame my political illeteracy for not being an active Voter. This time I am actually flying to India ONLY to vote the congi motherfuckers out and if need be beat the shit out of people who have been traditional congress voters
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
I will vote because I realize the complexity of electoral process and the importance of signals. A slow but steady rise in the voting of the enlightened middle class will make the politicians listen. The trick is to be significant as a voting bloc and, therefore, the need to persuade others to vote.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Because the country is going to the dogs (economically as well as geographically, look at how China is bullying India) under the UPA regime and if we do not bring in a strong administrator like MODI this time, then we are doomed. I believe this UPA government has lost at least one decade for India, it is a wasted generation! This time I will exercise my franchise and kick this government out
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
If you dont vote, you dont have any right to complain whether on inflation or fuel hike.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
That’s a stupid thing to have in mind. Middle Class in India is an emerging force. Those who don’t vote should better stick within the comforts of their homes and never complain. If one has problems, complain to the ECI. Rather than sitting ducks and imagining a rotten world, do something!
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
Until the fucking BJP grabbed power at the center, I had not cared to vote even once in my life. In fact, I wouldn’t have begun voting if the BJP were not to target me so acutely and effectively via all means: denial of jobs, ridiculing via articles and ads in media, psychic attacks, harassment by artificially creating payment issues, harassment by sending right “feriwaalaa”s selling the “right” things and throwing the right kind of a knowing smile at you, such things happening day in, day out, for years on, etc. Yes, right during those much venerated Vajpayee government times. They did that to me. I decided to kick them out of power, and began voting in around 2003 onwards.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
now a days middle class is well aware so I can easily perusade them to vote
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
We need to change govy. It’s important and urgent
5/27/2012 12:26 AMView Responses
I will vote if NaMo is the PM candidate. Otherwise may not. There is no difference between BJP & CongI without NaMo as the leader.
5/27/2012 12:23 AMView Responses
In a human world that has become so maddeningly convoluted, non-doing is better than doing. Even the Janata Party holds dear misguided opinions about what is good for Agriculture (Food) and to a fair extent, about Water. If one screws up these two things, there won’t be much to govern will there? But maybe it is possible to reason with this group. They seem reasonable.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
True, but in a 1st past the poll system even a modest 4% swing has caused a landslide electorally in recent years, so numeric majority it not an essential requirement. All a party needs is just a 25%-30% of the vote share. In any case it is the only way i can register my opinion.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
I have always voted and will keep on voting.,
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
Every single vote counts even if i am one of the minority middle class
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
As sabhlok says, Words without action has no meaning. Merely complaining about the things won’t serve the purpose. Be a citizen!
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
as explained earlier
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
Have never missed an election
5/26/2012 11:46 PMView Responses
My vote could well decide winners and losers
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
It is foolish to blame others if I do not do my job (voting).
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
I never voted in any election. I did n’t even register my name in voters list. But this time i will not only register my name but also will vote. Also i will try to persuade all my friends to vote for BJP. This time i’m more political then ever before 😛
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Having to choose and vote for the “least of the wicked crooks” is not my idea of liberty, freedom or democracy.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
If the middle class votes as a bloc it will be a powerful force.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
The duty of every citizen. My individual taxes are also a pittance, but only together can we have a public works or defence budget…
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
I always vote since that is the only say I have – for whatever it is worth. This time I’m going to try and convince people to vote for Modi.
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
I don’t care whether others feel it’s a waste of time 2 vote or the other way around…I don’t know whether my vote really counts r not..but it’s mu duty 2 vote..i will…i feel,if i don’t vote..I wouldn’t have the right 2 show my dissent at any later point of time
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
I’d vote if the process is not too cumbersome and time consuming..
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
We owe us this change…that’s why!
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
Most seniors in my family didnt vote and we ended up with a mess called UPA. I hope my vote changes that…
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
If you have not voted you have betrayed your countrymen.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
Look, I am a Kashmiri Pandit, our numbers have never mattered. Neither in Kashmir nor outside it. As a middle class person, I do feel that our numbers get swamped out, as a KP, that feeling is magnified a hundred times. Also, one could say that in the absence of modi at the national scene, there isn’t much choice to motivate me to vote.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
I am an Indian citizen but live in the US. I am not sure how the voting process works for NRI’s.
5/26/2012 9:33 PMView Responses
Feel strongly about issues. First step towards taking a decision and deciding to act is VOTING.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
This will be my first opportunity to vote.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
I vote candidates, not party. It would take whole lot of persuasion to convince me to vote for an idiot just because he/she belongs to particular party.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
We need to become active changemakers instead of hoping someone will do it for us
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
We all have our fields of interest. I would rather be involved in the social processes of the country, and that is what I do.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
I’m still a skeptic. I keep myself informed and thats it.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
can’t take active part in politics but keenly follow the political developments.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
Democracy is itself a sham, and not such a moral thing as the left would like to claim! Our monarchs of yore protected dharma much better! But given the current situation, I wouldn’t want a party openly hostile to Hindus and to economic freedom for the common man to come to power. Hence I vote, whatever use it might be of!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
Interest.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
participating in active politics i mean good politics can many a times become choosing life and death
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
I have only this life to make a change. I could take the easy way out but then what will I tell my future generations.
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
I donated genoursly for JP’s loksatta last time around. Although a good party, if Modi is going to be projected as PM, my vote and all my family votes are for BJP
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
Its our way to effect a change.
5/27/2012 3:10 AMView Responses
Not exactly correct, since I do not pay money, but do spend time spreading word on contributions of Rao/ Vajpayee govts.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
I realize the magnitude of damage that can be caused to our collective future if people like myslef continue to be apathetic. A belated and preliminary awareness about India’s ancient history and knowledge systems has made be want to see India return to its traditional place of being a positive example for all nations and peoples of the world.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
I have done my bit to educate and inform people. Not a rich man but willing to donate to see congress out of power.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
I dont mind spending time and money to have a desirable party making a government.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Already stated above. BJP supporter for life.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
I feel it is my duty towards my nation.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
I vote, but don’t consider it my “duty.”
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
i defenitely say we need alternative this time around
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
See #4 above.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
Informing people is important, most voters are uninformed.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
I don’t have money to support, but can volunteer if needed.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
the system is flawed.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
more a start but happy to give time and money for bjp
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
I also spend a considerable amount of time informing people. But that option (vote + inform) is not there.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
Will vote if I there are candidates like http://www.facebook.com/ashwin4mlc
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
as usual media highlight on ills of nation on GENERALIZATION of politicians causes mistrust
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
joining a party doesn’t fit 2 my living criteria
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
There is a strong sentiment in individuals lives and society against people who publicly support any political ideology. Unfortunate but true. Only position accepted is to criticize all politicians and parties.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
I don’t have belief in any political parties…
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Political awareness is necessary.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
No exact reason for this stand.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
Lack of an option that supports true economic freedom in India.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
You watch and go all the way, or things don’t get done.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
I do not have a problem because Sonia is Italian born. I have no data which implicates Gandhi clan in corruption, yet. So no problem on these two fronts. My grudge is the dynasty thing. It makes me feel very bad.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
If she were to leave the Congress President post and work on implementing inner party democracy such that the best leaders make it to the top. This can be her single most important legacy for Indian politics and ensure her an exalted place in History.
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
I believe at this point nothing would make me change my mind.
5/27/2012 8:32 AMView Responses
nothing.
5/27/2012 8:19 AMView Responses
The way she has handled the govt has been very pathetic for aam aadmi .Lot has been kept secret about her like her abroad tour.her expeniture.income,etc.
5/27/2012 8:17 AMView Responses
She is just another one of them politicians, no one special. She could start to change my mind by actively participating in the political process, not just behind the scenes. And also doing away with people pleasing policies like NREGA etc.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
See my comments on why I prefer BJP compared to Congress
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
Nothing. Case in point : 2004 – 2012 . Petrol prices have doubled . Gold price has increased five fold. All the scams under her party’s govt’s watch. Power infra in paralysis. Continuation of unsustainable schemes in face of current Rupee crisis. Weak foreign and domestic policy. And it goes on and on … The farmer suicides problem (state policy more than centre policy) was most intense in MH where a Cong-NCP alliance ruled and still rules. The NDA took the bullet for that though. Left-leaning media for you.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Nothing can make me change my mind.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
Her corruption, dynasty, her antcedents, her role in smuggling antiques and above all she is not Indian
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
Democratization of the Congress and shift in her ideology from the economic left to the economic right
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
ot be honest…i dont really know much…its my impression. also somewhat based on the fact that she is not born in india, and her life in india is far far away from that of a common indian…i think shes into politics, coz she didnt have a better choice to stay rich and powerful. its difficunlt to say how bad she is for indian…coz that depents on who we are comparing her to…some bastard or weak ministers are no better perhaps.
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
Sonia Gandhi is the Cersei Lannister of India. Enough said. For reasons of decency we will not go into the list of Cersei Lannister’s sins!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
After the things we have experienced, read and educated ourself about her, even if Brahmaji came to canvass for her i would disobey him. Or else if she would do things that would in long run help my nation and countrymen, most importantly Sanatan Dharmis, then only would i change my mind, but i am sure that day would never come. So, i am happy that i wouldn’t have to stress my mind regarding this matter.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
I have nothing against one person.
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
She is the baddest, worst in every possible ways.. dangerous, Italian Mafioso minded, highly anti national on.every possible way
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
If she is able to dismantle dynastic politics and the NAC
5/27/2012 4:26 AMView Responses
Less said the better.
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
what ever it takes need to make the dynasty irrelavant..
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
having been born, educated and working india all my life, I still sometimes fail to grasp the nuances of the ‘indian’ way. I do not expect sonia gandhi to understand India from second hand appraisals. Also the corruption matters.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
Nothing. Period.
5/27/2012 3:10 AMView Responses
1. Minority pandering 2. Spread tax payers money and gain votes is the only economics known to her. 3. No regard for institutions like Army, Parliament, etc. The NAC writes the bills. 4. No attempt to find long term solution for poverty, education, etc (Reservations/ spread tax money etc is the only way) 5. The country can be mortgaged to keep the dynasty alive.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
The passage of sufficient amount of time.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
If she creates a democratic organisation in Congress where leaders come up on merit and not through allegiance to family.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
SHE IS A BITCH, A LIAR, A THUG, A CHEAT. I want to see what BJP does to her once they are in power. I am scared that this lady will vanish from India using a fake passport once she finds herself out of favour.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
Nothing that’s reasonably expected to occur
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
If she changes the entire system and gives away her power and releases the Congress party from the dynastic clutches so that real democratic leadership emerges in the party, then I would be eternally grateful to her
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
If she makes sure that dynastic politics stops in Congress & Rahul Gandhi is not given the PM candidature on a platter, I might change my opinion on her.
5/27/2012 12:59 AMView Responses
I hope that bitch dies soon.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
The worst thing is the hype and god-motherly tag surrounding her. She is kept beyond criticism and is so opaque! She has been accused of many things and i have read of almost all the conspiracy theories around her but i wonder what complicity prevented most of them from coming to core. I find NDA a culpable partner here.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
It isn’t so much that she herself is bad as the mixed economy and the culture of command and control is bad. She inherited it, has no clues how or why to change it for the better. But then, neither does your hero Naryaa Modi, for instance, has any clue on these matters. Ask the bastard to talk about individual rights and (actual) capitalism, and see the distance that fucker is able to travel. If she makes Rahul Gandhi a PM, I will immediately begin considering her extremely bad.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
nothing
5/27/2012 12:35 AMView Responses
wish not to make a laundry list here
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
Nothing, her policies are regressive socialist bumkum
5/27/2012 12:26 AMView Responses
Why should we lead by an illeterate foreigner with very low IQ? She is harming the Indian culture irreparably. Missionaries are very active, thanks to her tacit support.
5/27/2012 12:23 AMView Responses
If she returns to her privately-own hometown, before which she repatriates all that she has taken away from her publicly-adopted residence.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
Less of Hinduphobia, less of bankrupting India through populist schemes, less of intrusion into privet lives, less of the preachiness and so on.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
I
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
she has been pushed to this situation by the other “senior” leaders of congress…
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
Worst thing to happen for India. Ofcourse Voters are responsible for that.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
it is a tragedy really. she could have had a happy life in a civilised country like italy. she needs to leave indian politics for this animosity between political parties to end. the fight is not politial. it is personal and that is why she needs to go for the betterment of india.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
Same as earlier reason
5/26/2012 11:46 PMView Responses
Nothing. Her place is in her home as a grandmother.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
if she decides take sanyas from politics, i’ll wholeheartedly support her :p
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
Zilch
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
Declare assets / step down from the high chair / allow Bofors to reach its logical conclusion / dismantle NAC / … well, lets us say, nothing realistic would happen that would make me change my mind about SoniaG.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
She is bad so long as she is in power.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Nothing. 1. She aint India Born 2. She is totally clueless about economics.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
If she leaves(!) or accepts what I had stated about Congress adopting certain Swatantra party ideas.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
power without responsibility and accountibility
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
i hope she doesn’t screw up totally that i change my mind on her
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
Absolutely nothing. I have no information so far that she is good for the country.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
can’t change…
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Nothing at all!
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
No1 Looter of the nation. Has no knowledge of India
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
She is not good in adminstration and has a big attitude too.So not fit as a public servant.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
She is simply a opportunistic lady though I give her credit that within years she adjusted to Indian Politics so well.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
Someone will have to convince me first that Mussolini and Hitler were saints.
5/26/2012 10:34 PMView Responses
She is must to bind Congress together. thats it
5/26/2012 10:33 PMView Responses
She’s done enough damage. She’s beyond forgiving.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
If she gives up politics; brings back all her black money and gives it back to govt.
5/26/2012 9:33 PMView Responses
Nothing.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
If she quit, and asked her children to stay away from politics.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
I choose not to believe news-media. Hence I have no opinion on Gujrat development or Modi’s complicity in any killings. I saw one of Modi’s lectures on youtube and I was not impressed at all. It felt overtly dramatic which put me off. However, a few folks whom I admire have sung praises of Modi’s administrative capability. Hence I am ready to give him a chance to lead India.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
Not sure about it although till date haven’t found anything said or done by him (the real things, as opposed to what is reported in media) that would make me change my mind
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
if he fails to check the mulla demographic,gundaism threat.
5/27/2012 8:19 AMView Responses
Again, he can be the PM/CM so long as he has the mandate. I would vote for him based on his manifesto and nothing else.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
I returned to Gujarat in 2003 and have seen his brand of governance. India needs him more than Gujarat now.
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
I dearly hope the media hasn’t completely killed his chances of reconciling with the Indian public at large.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Never.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
Nothing – Not even Narendra Modi himself
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
Supreme Court Acquittal in Gujarat Riots Case.
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
my opionion is based in few youtube videos i saw with him in it. (and the above average development of gujarat)
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
Right now he has been delivering the goods like no one has done in India in many decades. So he has my absolute support! I would like him to continue in this path of development and embrace economic theories of champions of freedom like Adam Smith and Hayek as far as possible, tailored to Indian conditions! I believe that is the way for the uplift of the common man. If he strays too much from this path, I’ll lose a little of my enthusiasm!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
I do not see a possibility.
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
Allow him more time for his 6 Crore Gujarati’s even with a BJP led govt at center, for at least 10 years. Let the nation know that he is not just taking countrymen on another bogus emotional overdrive and is open to others viewpoint. We don’t want a Corporate backed autocratic, self-obsessed individual careless towards roots. A person cannot be BIGGER than the party/people.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
Nothing
5/27/2012 4:26 AMView Responses
Nothing.
5/27/2012 4:25 AMView Responses
Nothing
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
Nothing can change the fact that he is development oriented. Actually he is the person responsible for bringing about politics of development in India.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
still have my doubts expressed above.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
I already carry a positive impression of Narendra Modi. The worry I have is that my friends and family members who carry a very main-stream-media (negative) impression of Modi. We will need to (individually and collectively) mount a massive campaign to better educate family, friends and the public at large.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
If he is convicted in the Gujarat riots case. Then my conscience would nota low me to vote for him.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
Modi is a man with a Spine. So I will support him and willing to turn a blind eye once a while for sake of India
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
Authoritarianism in areas where he has least expertise- like economics and other specialist areas. Violation of individual rights through authoritarian legislation.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Almost nothing, I guess
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
If his role is proven in riots. He is otherwise a visionary and clean politician. He is brilliant orator and mass leader.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
It would be good if he were to be a PM but BJP has many good leaders. Maybe he is the best amongst them all. He has my support.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
I dislike his way of doing things, but, frankly, don’t have any particular like or dislike for his personality. I don’t care for personalities, that way. Naryaa’s is a gone case. He will never be able to get Hindutva out of himself. In contrast, you could make a thinly argued case that simply because BJP is so inconsistent, it could, perhaps, some one day in future, give up Hindutva and adopt rational capitalism. But, talking of Naryaa, he has grown up in the Hindutva fold, and he is so consistent about it. No, he couldn’t possibly get Hindutva out of him. Not in this lifetime.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
he is one the choice but there are others who are equally competent for PM job
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
I need to live in Gujarat and find out for myself.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
If he becomes a bogged down compromising figure. If he changes his political position to play to the gallerys. If he becomes willing to live with the ivory tower self-serving indifferent to public bureaucracy. If he starts making a large intrusive government instead of a small efficient government.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
If he does not develop a team and encourages personality cult around him.
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
Come clean on godhra and apologise
5/27/2012 12:08 AMView Responses
Minority appeasement
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
There needs to be a display of contrition and demonstration that he will take all Indians ahead with him.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
unlikely to change unless he becomes a totally different person.
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
Fails to deliver, but then I am sure he will succeed I
5/26/2012 11:36 PMView Responses
If he proves to be yet another politician after he hits the PM’s post, then I would be doubly disappointed / irritated. Having no hope is bad enough (UPA), but destroying cultivated hope is worse.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
I don’t change my mind unless he becomes corrupt(possibility is extremely small)
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
If he is found guilty of the riots in Gujarat.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
My mind is made up.
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
go on and agree his role in anti-muslim riots….he did it once…i don’t see a reason y he wouldn’t do it again? yep..the court gives a clean-chit…but hw many of us really believe tht??
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
Nothing
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
it wouldn’t…
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
He is a good administrator but should shed his ego and take everyone into account.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
Narendra Modi has been blasphemized by Congress and Pro Congress media in order to keep him at bay for Rahul Gandhi’s benefits. He has shown prudent and committed resourcefulness to the chair and has proven that things can happen in India too. As an acting CM he recuperated the entire of Bhuj within less than a year from the quakes which speaks volumes in comparison to the Bhopal Gas Victims.
5/26/2012 10:42 PMView Responses
May be if he fails to deliver ,but I doubt it.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
But he must defuse the gap. A lot depends on him for his candidature to PMship
5/26/2012 10:33 PMView Responses
If he actually gets convicted in any of the cases.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
Nothing
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
He’s in the dock and for good reasons, I believe. However, I give him the benefit of doubt as he’s not been convicted of any crime (as yet). On the positive, he has done a exemplary job in Gujarat and I think he could do the same across India. So I remain interested in Modi.
5/26/2012 9:20 PMView Responses
He is the best we’ve got at the moment. That said, strategically, one should be on the look out for an alternative – an alternative with Modi second-in-command would be ideal, although one feels that he would not be second-in-command to anyone. Which is a good thing – and in that case, better he be PM than anyone else.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
Modi becoming PM is going to be good. However, important thing is that even if Modi does not become PM, the governance should be about sensible and good governance.
5/26/2012 8:23 PMView Responses
As a country we have not really moved forward much from where we were at the time of independence in terms of social inequalities. Free markets rest on the premise of each person having the opportunities to achieve their potential. Till the time we can create equal opportunities, the weaker sections need government intervention and support. However, the approach needs to shift from ‘socialist’ (giving) to liberal (helping them afford).
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
1) Kashmir issue went to UN becoz of JLN’s misgovernance 2) Kashmir issue couldn’t be solved in 71 even after capturing 93K Pak soldiers due to incompetance of IG 3) RG’s incompetance in handling Srilanka and blind eye to J&K cost us dear. 4) Huge inflationary policies of UPA 1+ 2 and corrupt policies are due to misgovernance and incompetence
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
IMHO The govt has 3 responsibilities. 1) Making laws and enforcing them. 2) Reaching out to the people who the markets alone cant lift out of poverty. Ergo , not libertarian. ( Im talking about things like relief schemes for the poorest of the poor, cheap public transport etc. Im not very good at this , clearly.) 3) Dont overdo 2) for political gain. Classic examples include the flawed Food Security Bill and MNREGA. This much Im sure about, I think.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
Govt’s job is to provide infrastructure and not run profitable business.govt run business are not efficiently run.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
I believe in Narendra Modi’s mantra – MINIMUM GOVERNMENT MAXIMUM GOVERNANCE
5/27/2012 7:59 AMView Responses
The historical record is as clear as a crystal. Socialism is bad. Period.
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
money and society both are important…………..i fear if we leave everything to business people,.they may start misusung their power. also focusing only on social aspects may make us not use our full potential..
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
The market is the fairest dispenser of social justice, I feel, free from government intervention! The poor in India are willing to work hard once they realise that there is hope for a better future if they show initiative, and once it is made clear to them there is no other way! The various interventions by the government, from votebank politics to reservations to subsidies have rendered them ineffective and weak, so the government can leech off them! One can only pray to Lord Shiva that this changes at some point in our lieftimes!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
Government should minimize its footprint to focus on law-and-order, improving the judicial system, protecting the environment and taking care of ensuring equitable distribution of wealth and natural resources
5/27/2012 4:26 AMView Responses
govt role should be very limited in providing the right environment for investments. It should only play the role of Umpire rather than being the player itself..
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
The way India has moved since independence, wealth creation opportunities have been skewered towards already wealthy. I strongly dis-agree with doles and hand outs as a way out. Schemes like nrega and fsb further weaken the population. Govt should rather create opportunities for the weaker sections and create platforms for skill impartation. The iti development in gujarat is a step in the right direction
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
I believe that PSUs did have a role to play after independence when India was capital starved and hence selected this and not the next point. However I believe once an industry gains critical mass, the govt should disinvest at a profit for eg Airlines, telecom, etc. The Govt also should act as a facilitator for ensuring basic amneties . However it should be out of running any business which can be done privately and where there can be competition.
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
Ancient Indian knowledge systems did have a view of how an economy needs to function to help achieve the 4 fold human goals of dharma, artha, kama and moksha. We need to adapt our ancient knowledge systems to suit today’s global context, and not ape either socialist or market-liberal policies. Market-liberal policies from other materially successful nations should inform our understanding, but should not drive the path we choose for ourselves.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
The private sector is the most efficient in performing certain tasks because they have the right incentives and disincentives. Govt employees have no incentives as they can’t be fired. But a few things can’t be privatised like the Army and there is some Market regulation required to ensure investors are not cheated. So, a minimum govt is required.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
The debate is not about capitalism and socialism. Its about free markets vs non-free markets. Nordic countries believe in socialism but at the same time are all for free markets.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
Requires an essay length answer-refer my guru’s work-Milton Friedman
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Welfare states are disastrous, we must have minimum governments. Market forces will eventually lead to welfarism and address all the inadequacies, state has no role in it.
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
Socialism has failed globally and India. No point in trying it again and again.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
Socialism is like a small cake being distributed to a large gathering. With liberalism, the size of the cake grows, so opportunities are many. If a govt is honest and transparent, a controlled liberalism can have inclusive affects i am sure.
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
You once again provide partly clueless options. … You must have done your education at Berkeley, have you? The laissez-faire Capitalism, in Ayn Rand’s sense of the term, is the only way to go. It’s about smallness of government. Government must be strong, very strong, but it must be kept restricted to its proper role.
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
socialim is dead it is more towards market economy bit taxation shud be very rational
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
*Someone* should be in a third party position to ask hard questions, get answers, and pursue a course of action whenever the need arises.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
The role of the govt should be to infrastructure, Security, Finance , Health and education
5/27/2012 12:09 AMView Responses
Let not our servicemen decide how to do trade.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
economic policy—too many controls. foreign policy–outdated and influenced by local minority pandering requirements. education, healthcare, infra polices–all outdated. old paper-pushing attitude of bureaucracy. judiciary–slow, ineffective. police–corrupt, archaic. teachers–ordinary. what else? internal security is a joke. armed forces–competent but need to become modern.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
60 odd years give me no reason to think otherwise
5/26/2012 11:46 PMView Responses
Again, these are nuanced questions where all the choices are NOT given in a either or way. For instance, I feel that the government should not play, but regulate – which would mean some oversight. Also, I feel education and health should be government prerogatives (a lá European countries).
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
socialism and market economy are two extremities. The answer lies somewhere in between but mostly tilted towards market economy.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
A limited role for government will, I believe, reduce corruption and incompetence. After all, it is not in human instinct to be careful with other people’s money.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Bureaucracies since Ancient Egypt become bloated, corrupt, and inefficient. The smaller the better (and Government is another bureaucracy)! Also refer to Hayek, Mises, or even Hoppes.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
change has to be controlled
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
only market-liberalism may not guarantee us economic development which is y I want govt interference 2 account for every1
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
Toughest question in this survey. I believe in markets but a number of factors including clout of existing players and uncertainty about judicial process makes pure market model not my first choice.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Socialism has failed all around the world. we don’t want another experiment and demo,,,
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Whatever the policies. The Govt. should be honest to implement it.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
and the final target is to minimize inequality and good governance. the small govt shouldn’t be there only for market
5/26/2012 10:33 PMView Responses
Look at USA…….
5/26/2012 9:33 PMView Responses
We have to evolve as we go along and this is my initial position; as Bharat re-emerges, our outlook should be modified as it suits us.
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
I also agree with the last point.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
All are equal priority. Genie missed out: 1. Establish freedom-of-expression in Indian mindset.
5/27/2012 8:48 AMView Responses
1. Make all citizens equal before the law 2. Remove corrupt politicians and prohibit criminals from contesting elections 3. Restrict the government to governance I would add: 1. Implement public funding of elections 2. Remove income tax
5/27/2012 8:33 AMView Responses
1. Remove corruption 2. Educate every citizen 3. Remove discrimination
5/27/2012 8:25 AMView Responses
I would also like to see a law like the First Amendment in the US, to stop people from making “being offended” into a business.
5/27/2012 8:10 AMView Responses
1) I always say India’s biggest problem is “Government wants to run business” and “Businessmen wants to run Governement” so would support Govt out of business except that involving national security/defence , critical infrastructure 2) Removing corruption is impossible but removing corrupt politican will free up resources by which govt can provide basic facilities like education , healthcare , defence , roads , power , ports vital to improve HDI and commerce
5/27/2012 8:08 AMView Responses
1) Law enforcement 2) Education 3) Sane limits to govt.
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
A Ferrari
5/27/2012 8:03 AMView Responses
1. Make all people.2. Govt 2 governance n no business.3.make education system autonomous away from govt. Electoral reforms to ensure good people are enthused to participate in policy making.
5/27/2012 8:01 AMView Responses
Genie missed: -prohibit accused also from contesting elections -need 2 have measures of fastrack court else falsely accused will be suffered
5/27/2012 7:54 AMView Responses
Economic reforms will be a top priority. Genie should also have offered complete freedom of speech with minimal restrictions, decentralization and accelerated infrastructure development.
5/27/2012 7:47 AMView Responses
only two points…i would have taken education as second..but the statement is strange..will govrnments reduced interference really improve education? the private people running schools are no better…the want money and more money.
5/27/2012 7:24 AMView Responses
I would prioritize my choices in the order in which they appear above! Corruption is a by-product of bloated socialist governance, and all the Anna Hazares in the world cannot remove it by adding more socialism into the mix!
5/27/2012 6:21 AMView Responses
remove corruption from india – entails a lot of actions like right bills, quick justice, competent politicians Improve the education system restrict the governmetn from being in business
5/27/2012 5:48 AMView Responses
choice 2 is stronger than choice 1, so I chose 2, they appear in order. What genie missed is: Allowing people to choose their leader in a way done in France/USA etc. We are suffering MMS and his remote control.
5/27/2012 5:00 AMView Responses
Start by setting examples from the top, punish one and all, give no special treatment, end all special privileges. Start with small term goals and long term priorities.
5/27/2012 4:58 AMView Responses
1. Fast and just courts. 2. Small government. 3. States having more power. 4. More professional, transparent and accountable bureaucracy.
5/27/2012 4:55 AMView Responses
Difficult to choose between Make All Citizens Equal and Restrict Government – both equally important Improve Education System ** Missed: Fix the Judicial System; Make it work
5/27/2012 4:30 AMView Responses
Ensure that we preserve our heritage and the environment for the future generations
5/27/2012 4:26 AMView Responses
stop messing with people lives and concentrate only on governance
5/27/2012 3:58 AMView Responses
Corruption and corrupt population would be number 1. The root cause of most issues india faces is that for personal profits individuals subverted the system and benefits meant for many reached only a few. Education is the only way ppl can have an opportunity to be successful.
5/27/2012 3:28 AMView Responses
Yes, it should make India a secular state.
5/27/2012 3:10 AMView Responses
Here again, I would like to add a rider that the Govt may have a role in setting up institutions/ business where the private sector is not willing or in which returns come later. For eg Roads, O&G etc. I also believe the Govt did play a +ve role in higher education like IITs, IIMs, etc. The Govt should be an angel investor who exits at profit and then reinvests the same to develop infrastructure (physical, security, health and education)
5/27/2012 3:03 AMView Responses
1. Remove the corrupt politicians and prohibit criminals from contesting elections 2. Restrict the government to governance and prohibit it from being in business 3. Make all citizens equal before the law and prohibit the government from discriminating against people What was missed: All self-respecting countries of the world protect and nurture their culture/ unique ways of life. Indians and India must begin to once again respect, protect and nurture our ancient culture. Nobody else is going to do it for us.
5/27/2012 2:59 AMView Responses
education end of discrimination more governance
5/27/2012 2:53 AMView Responses
First priority is to have minimum govt so that tasks are more efficiently done by the private sectors and all that govt does is to formulate policies. But to ensure transparencies we need open govt where all things are in public domain.
5/27/2012 1:43 AMView Responses
Obvious choices. Corruption is a consequence. not a cause. Get the Govt. to do what it is supposed to do.. Governance.
5/27/2012 1:27 AMView Responses
In the order listed above. Am lazy too.
5/27/2012 1:15 AMView Responses
Yes, the genie missed the fact that India needs reforms, a lot more reforms in various sectors. For instance, the first thing I would want to do is privatize Indian Railways, government has no business running public transport.
5/27/2012 1:09 AMView Responses
1. Make India more federal 2. Increase local government 3. Democratize all political parties by putting in age limits and terms for all party and govt posts. 4. Reduce the barriers for people to join politics particularly that of money power. Anybody who contests and wins atleast 15% of popular vote, his entire expenses would be borne by Govt. State Funding in this manner would reduce political corruption and ensure better governance. 5. Increase transparency through e-governance. 6. Accountability and transparency of media funding.
5/27/2012 12:54 AMView Responses
Difficult question. Government can meddle anywhere provided the intentions are good. Corruption is definitely the biggest issue. Talk of anything, education, health, security of the nation, nutrition, if our govts were transparent and honest, we wouldn’t want to exploit the diversity of the nation upon whom we can’t thrust a common code. But yes, the same diversity has been a breeding ground of vote bank politics and it should also go but it;s very difficult to achieve considering narrow gains that both the parties would not want to forgo!
5/27/2012 12:40 AMView Responses
Yes. Strengthen the proper functions of government. I would put it ahead of that education thingie, because, simple: education is (or ought to be) a business, and you already have the prohibition order served to the government in #3. How could Indian citizens aspire for pride unless their government is strong? Another point. *Some* minuscule small number of people in India (and not just Brahmins and higher castes), distributed to various pockets in space and time in the past, were great. But India was not too great; could not have been; no nation was and could have been—Individual Rights, Industrial Revolution and Capitalism are recent developments. So, keep your fucked up RSS prachaaraki naaTak of “India was great, Sindhu was great, so let’s arrange a 10,000 yadnya mahotsav with the help of criminals and even murderers filling up the ranks and files of RSS/BJP…” aside, and think rationally. Even in those supposedly wonderful Vedic/Sanaatan times, men were restricted to travelling only by horse-carts and not by aeroplane; human sacrifices at the time of building palaces were not unknown; the science of medicine i.e. Ayurveda often lacked acuity; Individual Rights were not discovered and so, a son was seen as morally responsible the private promises made by his father and without involving the son’s own choices, etc. Do be respectful of or grateful to the (actual) great thinkers of any times, including any (and every) of those ancient times. But don’t mistake a few geniuses for the post-Rennaissance, post-Industrial Revolution, post-Capitalism-beginnings culture as we know it today. This culture, if it survives in the West, will also influence India positively. But, its survival in the West itself is no longer an unquestionable kind of a premise. I will let you know my name on the presumption that you won’t publish my free-wheeling unedited, on-the-fly “thoughts” without my permission. It’s Dr. Ajit R. Jadhav. (Yes, I could have sharpened my thoughts better and articulated them better. For a blog now, as for a hostel-room chat in the earlier times, however, I don’t care a lot. In fact, before hitting done, let me you in on something. I thought of government having to be strong right while writing answer to your question # 8 before reading your question #9. I have been that free, on-the-fly; haven’t edited a single answer.) Best, Ajit [E&OE]
5/27/2012 12:36 AMView Responses
If citizens are empowered adewquately surely governeance will be far more better
5/27/2012 12:30 AMView Responses
new govt engg college /graduation instt should be opened so that politician own colleges couldnt exploit helpless students.private education is very costly and govt colleges r very less.new RTE law should be scrapped.
5/27/2012 12:28 AMView Responses
[A] and [B] are pipe dreams. You cannot cut out the cancer when the very cause is still in the system. Government has no business being in business, nor moral grounds to discriminate and differentiate within it’s own people, nor ethical authority to perpetuate only it’s own view of the world.
5/27/2012 12:22 AMView Responses
According to my priorities as follows: 1) Restrict the government to governance and prohibit if from being in business. (All governments are bad in doing things) 2) Make all citizens equal before the law and prohibit the government from discriminating against people. (No, to entitlements. Yes, to National integrity) 3)) Improve the education system by reducing government interference. (Government of India has a pathetic record in ensuring quality. Educationists are a bunch of self-indulgent lot. Magsaysay Awards… what non-sense ) 4) Remove the corrupt politicians and prohibit criminals from contesting elections. (Bell, the cat last) If these are achieved corruption will get reduced as a result.
5/27/2012 12:14 AMView Responses
1) Improve the education system by reducing government interference —The young breed has been corrupted a lot by educating them about fake history, false ideologies. Let them have a quality education first. 2)Make all citizens equal before the law and prohibit the government from discriminating against people —This is important so that there should no atmosphere of guilt/hatred between communities. 3)Restrict the government to governance and prohibit it from being in business —Let individual explore the business market.
5/26/2012 11:56 PMView Responses
independent police commission and reform. judicial commission and all cases to be closed in 2 years. all mps compulsorily to go thru 2 stages of elected public office before becoming mp. reorg as mentioned earlier.
5/26/2012 11:51 PMView Responses
Reforms and economic freedom is really what we need. Everything else follows.
5/26/2012 11:44 PMView Responses
1,4,5
5/26/2012 11:39 PMView Responses
1. amend the constitution and bring a uniform civil code. (this is similar to genie’s point no. 4) 2. remove reservations but provide world class primary education system (government onus). somewhat similar to Genie pt. 5. 3. since we are in the wishing game – just make NGOs non existent. 😀 BTW – the genie missed out on energy policies / agricultural reforms etc. those are all interlinked to overall growth too.
5/26/2012 11:35 PMView Responses
Mere removal of corrupt politicians will not yield any result. People are also equally corrupt. After all politicians are just samples drawn from the population called people. Each person holds multiple ration cards to enjoy govt schemes on multiple fake names and brazenly argues that it is their birth right to loot tax payers money. I believe that Right education(international standards) blended with ancient Indian dharmic values can change the face of the future India. If all people are truly equal before law then the corrupt rich will automatically land in jail.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
1. Limited Government 2. Ensure Individual liberty, Good Health, safety and security without discrimination whatsoever. 3. Develop Infrastructure: World Class Roads, Rail Network, Power, Water, Sanitation, Connectivity.
5/26/2012 11:31 PMView Responses
Genie missed a lot (literacy, women’s rights, environment, civic virtue), but “kabhi kisi ko mukammal jaha nahi milta!” So with the above list – Restrict the government to governance and prohibit it from being in business, Make all citizens equal before the law and prohibit the government from discriminating against people, Remove corruption from India.
5/26/2012 11:30 PMView Responses
you should have put one choice as “sauno saath sauno vikas”
5/26/2012 11:23 PMView Responses
In order of priority: 1) restrict the role of the government to enforcing law / rules and not being in business of any kind – education / hotels / airlines / what ever else… 2) Education system – doing (1) should address this 3) Make all citizens equal before the law
5/26/2012 11:18 PMView Responses
1.Make changes in political,electoral processes so that it guarantees transparency and better legislative 2.Improve the education system with MORE and better govt interference
5/26/2012 11:16 PMView Responses
Accountability of public servants and services.
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Remove all kinds of reservation…
5/26/2012 11:00 PMView Responses
Maybe…the genie missed the bottle…my Old Monk bottle! 😉
5/26/2012 10:58 PMView Responses
Have a leader with ability to govern in an outstanding way
5/26/2012 10:56 PMView Responses
Of course, Education also needs to be improved and sensitized. And Law by all its means should be equal for all.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
Education and Healthcare should be given utmost care by Govt.Knowledge and health are very important for a nation’s prosperity.
5/26/2012 10:44 PMView Responses
Education First. Genie, Please add Health care too. (These two must be in the hands of Government). Equality for all is just in letter. Should be brought in spirit. Remove, eliminate, exterminate the corrupt elements from the society and not just elections.
5/26/2012 10:42 PMView Responses
There is this minority,dalits,OBC’s crap that comes into every debate. Hope this changes in the Indian society and politics.
5/26/2012 10:41 PMView Responses
1 restrict government interference 2 make all citizens equal before law 3 improve education system Just these should set in motion all else that would reduce the first two points as well.
5/26/2012 10:07 PMView Responses
Improve the education system Remove corruption REstrict gove to governance One additional wish: Improve moral fabric of society.
5/26/2012 9:33 PMView Responses
(5) (4) ( 1 and 3)
5/26/2012 9:30 PMView Responses
Priority 1 – restrict government Priority 2 – make all citizens equal Priority 3 – reduce government interference in education
5/26/2012 9:20 PMView Responses
Prioritize 4 before 3 before 5. Amend freedom of speech law in constitution – make it similar to first amendment in the US constitution.
5/26/2012 8:39 PMView Responses
Rule of law Limited government Better education
5/26/2012 8:01 PMView Responses
It all starts with education
5/26/2012 8:00 PMView Responses
Atanu Dey : Life is a Random Draw 
Ok, the answers are along predictable lines. Everybody knows the right answers. Full marks to everybody and all that. Atanu, this just shows that you have been harping on the same stuff repeatedly, without much use. You might as well put some of your posts on auto-repeat-post mode.
The only question that matters is the one about voting. You have to consider that people will say something but do something else. Not many would like to admit that they would be least interested in voting, especially in this group of people, and so the numbers are most likely inflated.
In any case, this group is small in India. So, the question then is, what are you going to do about it? Maybe, it will be useful to focus efforts on the top cities/metros in India. What would it take to have good governments in the top cities in India? The problem is there are still too many people in the lower strata in cities who can be persuaded to vote for anybody. And, elections in Mumbai haven’t been very good from the point of electing the better candidate. But, perhaps, case studies for the cities and a strategy for the cities might be a useful place to start?
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@atanu, @dj: In Satyajit Ray’s Hirak Raja’r Deshe, the reformist rebels bribed the king’s forces with diamonds “stolen” from his mines. Seeing you have no regard for Gandhi (means and end etc.) perhaps Indian reformists should work the system exactly as the system is worked, via bribes.
The survey was quite educational for me. I knew the rough composition of the merry band that visits your blog, and its utter distrust of the Congress is quite well-justified, but I hadn’t realized they pin such great faith on BJP, and that too, Modi. I do not know enough to comment on Modi’s communal proclivities but I doubt he has the caliber to drag India out of the bubbling gargling cauldron into which it is sliding steadily. I guess drowning men will catch at straws.
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OG, what is the basis for your doubts? And, do you have an alternative? By the way, I am optimistic about alternatives. Many state leaders have expressed that they wished they had followed the Gujarat model – they will refrain from calling it the Modi model. That itself should reduce your doubts if not eliminate them. In any case, if not Modi, someone willing to try the Gujarat model at the national scale should be ok too – do you have a name, coalition, party currently that could deliver that?
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@Ajit Jadhav: Why not remove the big stick up your rear end before posting on the net?
Ah, the beauty of the Internet. One may be an ‘engineer cum physicist’ with an expired domain and no other information about their credentials, yet find the time to troll.
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“I doubt he has the caliber to drag India out of the bubbling gargling cauldron into which it is sliding steadily”
The faith in Modi is not misplaced. Gujarat was a cauldron once upon a time. What we are not seeing in Central government used to happen in Gujarat government. Open allegiance of Congress politicians with mafia, especially Islamist mafia, to stay in power. Under Modi Gujarat has had a fantastic run of a decade of peace, the mafia was busted. With him in Delhi, we can hope for an end to communal poison and peace and progress.
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The response of the man who has used filthy, abusive language against not only BJP but even the author of this blog who has taken the initiative of this survey, seems fake. But if he has evidence of what he has accused BJP of and he can make it public (he should not hide anything,even the reason that he thinks why BJP went after an honest, innocent aam aadmi like him) I will be hugely disappointed about my support to BJP.
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This is why the whole jingbang hates Modi: http://www.thenarendramodi.info/shri-narendra-modi-maharana-pratap-jayanti-at-rajasthan-haryana-meet-at-surat/
This is how the present dispensation came into existence: http://gandhiheritage.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=27
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A case of selective sampling where most visitors to your blog will hold similar views as yours..
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Nipun,
In the blog post where I started the survey, here’s what I wrote:
I am aware of sample selection bias. I mentioned sample selection bias. I want to know what this biased sample feels about the matter.
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Sorry I missed that part 🙂 Apologies
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Sample is totally unrepresentative of the population…people may say that they will vote but most of the respondents will not vote…coz of being outside India/outside hometown/busy.
Congress doesn’t know the pulse of the people but knows the pulse of the democratic setup…they will rule the people known to be ruled and suppressed.
Each party indulges in corruption…size of the scam is proportional to the no. of years as a ruling partly…I am still working on the equation, will let all know when done…this is the reason why someone gets caught with a lakh of bribe and some not with few lakh crores…
Lesser of the evil have more chances of giving better governance…because in this information age…it takes equal time to be known for good things and bad things.
Crux of the matter is that we Indians are helpless…waiting for another reincarnation…this time a modern one.
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