Where did BJP go wrong in Delhi elections?

There are many theories and numbers floating around, in regards to BJP’s loss in Delhi elections, which they were expected to win easily. Some say, the voting percentage for BJP was just the same as in early election – just a marginal dip of 0.8% (Lok Sabha election of 2014 & previous Delhi Vidhan Sabha election of 2013), and it is the Congress votes that has gone to AAP, resulting in BJP’s loss.

If we look back at the results, my personal feeling is, yes, voters have moved from Congress to AAP (14.85% decrease in Congress vote share vis-à-vis 24.8% increase in AAP vote share is testimony of that). But then, why did they not move to BJP & why to AAP?

The answer lies within BJP, for they have believed themselves all along that they are invincible & public will vote for them only as alternative to Congress. They openly challenged AAP and never far once were willing to give credit to AAP’s ideology or to their leaders.

Even in Lok Sabha elections, BJP won not because of their own good doing, but largely because of anti-incumbency voting, wherein public wanted a change, for they were bored of the corrupted UPA and the only party they perceived capable of running the country was BJP. But, they did not realise this and started to become over confident.

But come Delhi elections, this was not the case. Delhi public were aware of AAP & Arvind Kejriwal, and they believed, this party can provide better alternative government to Congress (and not BJP). And this showed in the results, where 96% of seats were won by AAP alone & BJP won paltry 3 seats, a reduction of 29 seats (from 32 seats earlier).

In voters’ minds, it was always a question of Congress or its alternative. And not necessarily, BJP is the alternative always. So, if BJP wants to be the primary choice, then it will have to take the position of Congress, that is it being the driver & public to choose between itself & alternative (which can be Congress or AAP or SP etc.)

Till that happens, there shall be more states that may go Delhi way for BJP. It can be Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala etc.

Arvind Kejriwal – AAP – Fascinating success story!!

Till couple of months back, when Delhi elections were being announced, no one gave any outside chance for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or for that matter to Arvind Kejriwal.

Senior Leaders from the party were leaving; quite a few of them while leaving accused Arvind Kejriwal of being dictatorship, not listening to others etc. And opponents were dismissing them out rightly, stating Arvind to be ‘bhagoda’, one time wonder etc.

And on 10^th February, when nation was glued to news channels, what they got to see was a stunning result, that blasted the party ruling at centre, which was expecting Delhi to be easy win, something they had taken for granted. AAP got 96% of the seats (67 out of 70 seats), which is a monumental record in Delhi elections history. Something that has never been achieved, and that too by a new party which has established themselves just couple of years earlier.

These truly made global headlines, on how a small party, that does not has any major names or backing has defeated the mighty political party in power at their own den, so to speak.

When we analyse this success story, there are many areas that AAP & Arvind Kejriwal, in particular did very well, which touched the public. Of course, their win was also facilitated by their opponents, knowingly or unknowingly.

• Perseverance: Arvind/AAP never gave in to opponents, no matter how much they stooped themselves down to. They kept doing, what was correct as per them.
• Build your support system & leaders: Though Arvind was the face of party, there were equally strong support system, cadre, including the likes of Manish Shisodia, Yogendra Yadav etc.
• Clear ideology: AAP communicated its ideology & what they stand for, very early in their campaign. So there was no last minute manifesto or confusing signals to voting public.
• Common man image: Arvind’s image as a common man had etched strongly in people’s mind. There were no helicopters for aerial visits or fancy designer suits or fancy vehicles being taken around for campaigning etc. Arvind lived up to his right throughout and even his opponents could not attack him much on that image. This helped voting public to see him as one among them.
• Be positive, keep negativity at distance: Haters gonna hate. And in politics, no matter how good a person is, opponents will find reasons to hate. No two parties appreciate each other, even if they do not have anything to criticize. It is all about hate & hatred. BJP tried lot of negative campaigns and it backfired in this election, like, making fun of Arvind’s gotra, questioning AAP’s party funds, bhagoda (for Arvind quiting in 49 days in his earlier stint) and so on. But this only solidified public behind Arvind.
• Accept mistakes: In politics, generally parties do not apologies for their mistakes. Congress never apologised for Blue Star operations in 1984, BJP did not apologies either for 1991 Babri Masjid or for 2002 Gujarat riots etc., in spite of proven guilty. But Arvind apologised openly for his mistake of resigning in his earlier CM stint, that they faltered then in their judgement. While BJP tried using this to their advantage & criticized Arvind as Bhagoda, that did not cut any ice with public. Clearly, AAP were willing to make amendments and move on.

With great power comes great responsibility: While everybody is lauding AAP’s victory the real test begins now. Success brings along with it hope and responsibility. And this is true for us too. It is important to plan ahead of success. Handling these responsibilities and living up to the expectations is the only sure way to achieve the next milestone. Let’s plan and track our own progress on that front while the nation tracks AAP.

As the AAP victory goes down in history, we must carry these learnings with us. It’s time to take action and start writing your own success story now!

Do employers prefer employees who are above 50 years of age?

Been wondering for a while, what will happen to myself after I become 50+ years old.

Will I get a job in market, if I want to make a job change?

Will I still be in demand?

These questions are plaguing in my mind and when I see all around, I see more and more companies trying to recruit employees in mid 20s or maximum early 30s.

Employees in 40s (early & late not withstanding) are looked down and seldom confined to back-office. They are sort of unwanted within the organization. And if you are 50+, then you can very well count the number of days before, organization will give you a voluntary retirement, whether it is voluntary from your part or involuntary.

This is unless; you are very high in management cadre, somewhere close to top.

If I analyse reasons on why does this happen, then the answers are varied:

• Employers preferring youth: Helps them to have average age of employee workforce to under 30.
• Cost to Company: Invariably, the CTC of employees under 30s shall be comparatively lesser than employees in their 50s.
• Fresh blood & ideas: General perception that young employees will come up with fresh & innovative ideas, including risk taking abilities.
• Long working hours & stress: Employees in 20s & early 30s will be happy to put in more working hours in office & absorb more stress, as against employees in 50s.

Does this mean, men/women who are into their 50s do not have a demand in market? God forbid, if someone loses a job & he/she is 50+, then it shall be really cruel. He/She may lose hopes & optimism in life.

In short, what shall men/women in 50s do for the next 30-35 years of life?

Sit idle, watch TV and get bored of life or do social service, whether or not the person is interested in it?

Or create a new hobby or passion and devote time into it?

I am still trying to figure out answers to these… Shall put in another blog, if I could find answers. If you guys can help me with your ideas, will be more than happy to receive them…