(For
additional information on the India Today – Nielsen Poll, visit
I heard something very surprising over the Headlines Today
TV channel. Over one third of the persons polled in the above-mentioned poll have
said that they will support the Aam Aadmi Party. The anchor of the Headlines TV
panel discussion commented on how surprising this is. This is perhaps the most
important finding to come out of this poll. Political parties cannot ignore it
unless they have a suicidal intent. Visit my blog post of August 2012:
The Aam Aadmi party was not born then. No one was sure
if Anna’s movement would give rise to a party; no one expected that such a
party would get any significant voter base. My enthusiastic post talked about
how such a party could achieve a lot even with a small number of votes, say a
half-percent. I argued a case for the planning of a strategy where nationally important
objectives – such as a reduction in corruption – could be achieved by using one’s
resources wisely. My suggestion was to draw up lists of candidates from ruling and
the main opposition parties, who need to be opposed or supported on the basis
of their record. By informing the two parties concerned of the two lists, the “oppose
list” and the “support list”, AAP can achieve part of its objectives. It could
reduce the number of corrupt elements being put up for election. AAP will need
to put up only a small number of its own candidates – AAP’s leaders and spokes-persons,
and other leaders of repute and integrity who are willing to stand as candidates
opposing netas with a smelly reputation!
I hope AAP will do effective strategy planning and effectively
use the tremendous clout it has demonstrated.
Srinivasan Ramani
