Contesting the Lok Sabha elections with maturity and responsibility

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The only other place, where you would find a semblance of the "political one up man ship" act is probably the nursery for kids! Mud slinging is the USP of such debates! I was not surprised when L K Advani and Sonia Gandhi, the top most leaders in the respective fronts NDA and UPA have taken the first steps towards the political "debate". One would expect that being the top most leaders, these two individuals would step aside from this wild "free for all, no holds barred mud wrestling" matches to talk about development, economy, goals, direction and governance. Alas, the first salvo fired between these two fronts is basis what we call the dirty poll politics. If this be the start, it would only get worse from here both in thought and morals.

L K Advani has gone on an overdrive about three things: Hindutva issue and hence the Ram Mandir, the internal security issues threatening the country and the anti-Congress anti-dynastic rule. Significantly missing is any reference to the economy, trade, foreign policy and home issues (infrastructure, education, healthcare). I think it is time to realise that Ram is insufficient to galvanize votes. One has to have an agenda, a thought and a process! While LKA roils about internal security and the failure of UPA, may he be reminded that NDA carries the cross of Babri Demolition and the death of 1169 civilians in Gujarat riots!

Sonia Gandhi speaks against Divisive forces alluding to BJP and its allies for not supporting the ccause of the state in times of distress. For one thing, i would call Antulay's remarks after 26/11 a case of being divisive. Vote bank "Secular" politics have been far more divisive than any political gambit, and the allies of UPA play this card best. UPAs own leadership issues may be divisive to the common cause and agenda.

Net of all
1. Two seniormost leaders of the political bulwarks should be more fore-sightful in terms of what their parties stand for! (do they define their existance as being the anti matter of the other or are they relevant to India in its present state?)
2. In absence of an agenda for the country, BJP will end up doing a VK Malhotra act (in Delhi) for the polls in the country!
3. With people like Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram one still has faith about the Congress. (Inspite of the Shivraj Patils, Arun Singhs and Antulays of the world in the same party)