Let me admit at outset, I woke up late to Assam elections and didn't really realize that it was as close a fight as the political pundits/anchors on various TV channels are suggesting. But what really surprised me was the zeal with which many of these honchos of mainstream media are predicting a BJP victory in the last couple of days. (https://twitter.com/sardesairajdeep/status/718621175882977281?lang=en);
(http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/who-will-win-assam-check-out-the-bjps-chances-here-1344007?pfrom=home-lateststories)
Actually, the segment of media predicting a BJP win is what caught me by surprise. It's a common understanding that the English main stream media is not very popular among the supporters of BJP or so called extreme nationalists these days. That the English MSM is perceived to be biased and one-sided is a common notion. On their part, the constant rants and niggling done by these "known" news anchors on Twitter and calling every dissenting voice as "Bhakts" haven't helped their cause either. This in no way means I endorse those anonymous Twitterati who hurl abuses. They need to be condemned. Period. However, by selective journalism and letting their personal biases overcome their professional obligation of non-partisan news coverage, media haven't painted themselves with glory either and need to be equally blamed as to where the discourse has landed today on various social media channels, especially Twitter.
But coming back to the main story. So why this sudden change of heart for those who still haven't come to terms that a BJP government is at the helm and a PM from outside the power corridors of Lutyen's Delhi is shaping the future of this country. But a story this morning in Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-comeback-likely-in-muslim-strongholds-in-assam/articleshow/51749519.cms) helped shed some of my doubts. My perspective is this:
It's a real irony in this country that if someone discusses Lord Ram, or even speaks to establish a Ram-Rajya, an epitome of ideal state (not religiously but administratively and morally) then it is perceived as polarization or consolidation of Hindu votes. On the other hand, when Muslims, as in this Economics Times report, clearly mentions that they will chose between AIUDF (main Muslim Party) and Congress based on the final assumption as to who can defeat BJP then it becomes "Strategic Voting" and "true exercise of one's democratic rights."
Assam has 34% Muslim population and most of these seats where there is significant Muslim population are going to polls on 11th April (23 of the 61 seats going to polls in next phase are Muslim dominated). AIUDF and Congress are both vying for Muslim votes here. As NDTV report shows, that if Muslim votes goto AIUDF, the chances of a BJP win becomes 60%. However, if Muslim voters end up voting for Congress then the game opens up and both BJP and Congress will have equal chance of winning. So the message is subtle but loud and clear to the Muslim voters: BJP is en route to power in Assam and if you want BJP to lose, then come out and vote strategically for the Congress en masse on 11th April.
Three things which bothers me here:
1) Even before the results are out, which may go either way, media reports such as one in Economic Times claiming Congress making a grand comeback in demographically Muslim belts as per political pundits, seems dubious. It is intended more towards swaying confused voters (mostly Muslim voters who see AIUDF as an alternative) towards Congress than convey anything substantial. Also, a party which is in power doesn't need to make comebacks, even if base criteria is taken as Lok Sabha elections, where Congress lost some seats to BJP. But that was mostly due to Modi's charisma and people's desire to see him as the PM of the country. The dynamics of state elections and national election are very different, no better proof of same than the Delhi and Bihar Assembly results, where BJP fared poorly after sweeping the National polls. So a very concocted effort of media is visible here to keep the hopes of Congress alive or more precisely " BJP's arrival at bay".
2) While the polling is on, exit and opinion polls are barred by election commission, and rightly so, to ensure that people are not swayed away based on whom those polls are suggesting are going to win. So while NDTV doesn't come up with any seat projections, as that would make them violate election code of conduct, they very subtly put across demographic numbers, and conveniently suggest what kind of swings would enable or disable BJP from coming to power. In an election where affinity and strategic intents on religious lines, citing various media reports, are blatantly visible, its a worthwhile question to ask the election commission as to whether such telecasts/programs shouldn't be banned as well, for if they are allowed then I don't see any wrong with exit and opinion polls too occurring while elections are on.
3) Lastly, and most importantly, it really saddens me to see the way religious affinity is being played out by media so blatantly to impact an election result. As an Indian, I wish that people vote for development, and not on religious identities. In a country where even after almost 70 years of independence, basic amenity like water and electricity is a privilege, media would do a better job if they can help people "form" opinion as to who can deliver development than "sway" opinions leading to strategic voting on religious lines. Being called as the Fourth pillar of the democracy, significant accountability and neutrality is expected out of media, but unfortunately in today's context they have become the most dysfunctional pillar of democracy.
The intention of this post is not to endorse BJP for Assam elections. That's for the people of Assam to decide. I have full faith in our electoral process and respect the mandate of the people. Keeping the shrillness of election campaign at bay, when a CM or PM is chosen, irrespective of the party, he is not the CM or PM of any specific religion or community but of entire state or nation respectively. The intent of the post is only to highlight the shallowness of media whose secular credentials are governed by "Appeasement to One Religion" than "Respect to All Religions". By doing so, media easily, or I must say purposely, plays into the hands of those 10% fringe elements ( whether Hindu or Muslim, Left or Right, Capitalist or Socialist.........) who want to distort the development agenda and keep this country in a constant state of chaos and mistrust. While it gives some their political and economic mileage, it gives media what they really die for: TRP. But its high time that the nation stops playing hostage and let it's development agenda being hijacked by these TRP hungry media outlets.
(http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/who-will-win-assam-check-out-the-bjps-chances-here-1344007?pfrom=home-lateststories)
Actually, the segment of media predicting a BJP win is what caught me by surprise. It's a common understanding that the English main stream media is not very popular among the supporters of BJP or so called extreme nationalists these days. That the English MSM is perceived to be biased and one-sided is a common notion. On their part, the constant rants and niggling done by these "known" news anchors on Twitter and calling every dissenting voice as "Bhakts" haven't helped their cause either. This in no way means I endorse those anonymous Twitterati who hurl abuses. They need to be condemned. Period. However, by selective journalism and letting their personal biases overcome their professional obligation of non-partisan news coverage, media haven't painted themselves with glory either and need to be equally blamed as to where the discourse has landed today on various social media channels, especially Twitter.
But coming back to the main story. So why this sudden change of heart for those who still haven't come to terms that a BJP government is at the helm and a PM from outside the power corridors of Lutyen's Delhi is shaping the future of this country. But a story this morning in Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-comeback-likely-in-muslim-strongholds-in-assam/articleshow/51749519.cms) helped shed some of my doubts. My perspective is this:
It's a real irony in this country that if someone discusses Lord Ram, or even speaks to establish a Ram-Rajya, an epitome of ideal state (not religiously but administratively and morally) then it is perceived as polarization or consolidation of Hindu votes. On the other hand, when Muslims, as in this Economics Times report, clearly mentions that they will chose between AIUDF (main Muslim Party) and Congress based on the final assumption as to who can defeat BJP then it becomes "Strategic Voting" and "true exercise of one's democratic rights."
Assam has 34% Muslim population and most of these seats where there is significant Muslim population are going to polls on 11th April (23 of the 61 seats going to polls in next phase are Muslim dominated). AIUDF and Congress are both vying for Muslim votes here. As NDTV report shows, that if Muslim votes goto AIUDF, the chances of a BJP win becomes 60%. However, if Muslim voters end up voting for Congress then the game opens up and both BJP and Congress will have equal chance of winning. So the message is subtle but loud and clear to the Muslim voters: BJP is en route to power in Assam and if you want BJP to lose, then come out and vote strategically for the Congress en masse on 11th April.
Three things which bothers me here:
1) Even before the results are out, which may go either way, media reports such as one in Economic Times claiming Congress making a grand comeback in demographically Muslim belts as per political pundits, seems dubious. It is intended more towards swaying confused voters (mostly Muslim voters who see AIUDF as an alternative) towards Congress than convey anything substantial. Also, a party which is in power doesn't need to make comebacks, even if base criteria is taken as Lok Sabha elections, where Congress lost some seats to BJP. But that was mostly due to Modi's charisma and people's desire to see him as the PM of the country. The dynamics of state elections and national election are very different, no better proof of same than the Delhi and Bihar Assembly results, where BJP fared poorly after sweeping the National polls. So a very concocted effort of media is visible here to keep the hopes of Congress alive or more precisely " BJP's arrival at bay".
2) While the polling is on, exit and opinion polls are barred by election commission, and rightly so, to ensure that people are not swayed away based on whom those polls are suggesting are going to win. So while NDTV doesn't come up with any seat projections, as that would make them violate election code of conduct, they very subtly put across demographic numbers, and conveniently suggest what kind of swings would enable or disable BJP from coming to power. In an election where affinity and strategic intents on religious lines, citing various media reports, are blatantly visible, its a worthwhile question to ask the election commission as to whether such telecasts/programs shouldn't be banned as well, for if they are allowed then I don't see any wrong with exit and opinion polls too occurring while elections are on.
3) Lastly, and most importantly, it really saddens me to see the way religious affinity is being played out by media so blatantly to impact an election result. As an Indian, I wish that people vote for development, and not on religious identities. In a country where even after almost 70 years of independence, basic amenity like water and electricity is a privilege, media would do a better job if they can help people "form" opinion as to who can deliver development than "sway" opinions leading to strategic voting on religious lines. Being called as the Fourth pillar of the democracy, significant accountability and neutrality is expected out of media, but unfortunately in today's context they have become the most dysfunctional pillar of democracy.
The intention of this post is not to endorse BJP for Assam elections. That's for the people of Assam to decide. I have full faith in our electoral process and respect the mandate of the people. Keeping the shrillness of election campaign at bay, when a CM or PM is chosen, irrespective of the party, he is not the CM or PM of any specific religion or community but of entire state or nation respectively. The intent of the post is only to highlight the shallowness of media whose secular credentials are governed by "Appeasement to One Religion" than "Respect to All Religions". By doing so, media easily, or I must say purposely, plays into the hands of those 10% fringe elements ( whether Hindu or Muslim, Left or Right, Capitalist or Socialist.........) who want to distort the development agenda and keep this country in a constant state of chaos and mistrust. While it gives some their political and economic mileage, it gives media what they really die for: TRP. But its high time that the nation stops playing hostage and let it's development agenda being hijacked by these TRP hungry media outlets.
