Whom to Vote for, and Why?
For simplicity, here are three broad criteria (A, B and C) on
which to evaluate a political party and its leader (candidate for the post of prime
minister) for the Lok Sabha.
(A) Economic Policy.
(A1) Plus
points for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1)
Does the party believe in competitive capitalism?
2)
Would the party bring in further liberalisation
and economic reforms?
3)
Would the party gradually withdraw the
government from business? Sell off PSUs.
4)
Would the party massively promote manufacturing, services, infrastructure development, defence industry
and modernisation in the private sector ?
5)
Would the party expand irrigation, link rivers,
modernise agriculture and enhance the quality of life in the rural areas?
(A2) Minus points
for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1) Is
the party socialist/socialistic/communist?
2)
Is the party populist? Does it believe in taking the short-cut of doles and subsidies to garner votes, making beggars of
citizens; rather than having the vision and competence to carrying through the
tough task of providing dignified living to people through gainful
employment/vocation?
3)
Does it believe in retaining/expanding the
government/public sector in business?
(B) Track Record of the Leader.
(B1) Plus points
for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1) Has
the leader (projected/likely prime minister) a track record of good governance
of at least 5 years as a state or central minister or chief minister or prime
minister?
2)
Has the leader practically delivered commendable
results for the people and the state or the country?
3)
Has the leader practically demonstrated the
ability of quick learning and grasp, innovative approach, excellent
team-building, spotting and using talent, team-work, wisdom in tackling issues,
managing conflicts, determination in facing up to challenges, and acting tough
or flexible as required?
4)
Is the leader personally honest and a person of
unquestioned integrity?
5)
Is the leader also professionally honest? Does
the leader have a track record of ensuring that persons under her or him too
act with honesty and integrity? Does the leader take responsibility for the
acts of her or his subordinates?
(B2) Minus
points for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1) Does
the leader have no relevant practical experience? Or, does the leader have
insufficient relevant practical experience?
2)
Has the leader been mainly a talker, with no or
little practical results to show?
3)
Has the leader shied away from responsibilities
in the past?
4)
Is the leader given to inventing excuses for
non-performance, or for passing-on blame to others?
(C) The Political Party.
(C1) Plus
points for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1) Does
the party have a good track record of at least 5 years in the states and/or at
the Centre of having delivered results?
2)
Does the party have sufficient number of
competent and experienced leaders to shoulder various responsibilities?
3)
Has the party ruled in any state for at least 5
years, so that its competence to handle issues at the Centre can be evaluated?
(C2) Minus
points for “Yes” answer to each of the following:
1) Has
the party a bad track record in a state or at the Centre?
2) Has
the party acted irresponsible in the past?
3) Are
the party and its leaders known to be generally corrupt?
4) Is
the party regional in character, lacking pan-India vision?
In the table below, the total positive marks assigned to
items under A1, B1, C1 are added in the grand total; while the total negative
marks assigned to items under A2, B2, C2 are NOT added in the grand total. The
score of each party under A1, B1, C1 is added to get total positive score. The
score of each party under A2, B2, C2 is added to get total negative score. The
net score is ‘total positive score’ less ‘total negative score’.
Among the regional parties, only SP is shown below, the
others being similar, some a bit better, some worse.
Total
Marks |
Congress
with Rahul as PM |
AAP
|
SP
|
BJP
Minus Modi |
BJP
with Modi as PM |
|
A1
|
||||||
Q1
|
20
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
10
|
15
|
Q2
|
20
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
11
|
16
|
Q3
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
8
|
Q4
|
20
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
10
|
15
|
Q5
|
20
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
9
|
16
|
A2
|
||||||
Q1
|
-6
|
-3
|
-3
|
-6
|
-1
|
-1
|
Q2
|
-4
|
-4
|
-4
|
-4
|
-2
|
-1
|
Q3
|
-4
|
-2
|
-2
|
-2
|
-1
|
-1
|
B1
|
||||||
Q1
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
20
|
Q2
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
11
|
Q3
|
12
|
0
|
6
|
1
|
6
|
10
|
Q4
|
12
|
4
|
12
|
0
|
7
|
12
|
Q5
|
14
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
7
|
12
|
B2
|
||||||
Q1
|
-6
|
-6
|
-6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Q2
|
-4
|
-4
|
-3
|
-2
|
-1
|
0
|
Q3
|
-4
|
-4
|
-3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Q4
|
-4
|
-4
|
-3
|
-3
|
-1
|
0
|
C1
|
||||||
Q1
|
20
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
15
|
15
|
Q2
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
8
|
8
|
Q3
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
C2
|
||||||
Q1
|
-6
|
-4
|
-2
|
-5
|
0
|
0
|
Q2
|
-4
|
-2
|
-2
|
-2
|
0
|
0
|
Q3
|
-10
|
-5
|
0
|
-9
|
-1
|
-1
|
Q4
|
-4
|
0
|
0
|
-3
|
0
|
0
|
Total:
|
||||||
Plus
|
200
|
52
|
45
|
17
|
117
|
168
|
Minus
|
-38
|
-28
|
-36
|
-7
|
-4
|
|
Grand
Total |
200
|
14
|
17
|
-19
|
110
|
164
|
