Whom to Vote for, and Why?

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