Friday, May 14, 2004
India is going through huge changes as a major upset has just played out in the results of the Indian election. Prime Minister Vajpayee has officially resigned as what he considered to be his certain victory has turned out to be an emotionally-charged upset by ,surprisingly, Sonia Gandhi, Italian born rival and newly appointed Prime Minister of India. What I find fascinating about the entire campaigning process and resulting election are that the BJP party was a sure thing. When in India, we were certain Vajpayee's re-election was imminent. We neglected to follow his competitors based on media glorification of Vajpayee and the attempted deconstruction of the reputation of Sonia Gandhi. I was even hesitant of Gandhi based on her few interviews I saw as well as the association to being former PM Indira Gandhi's daughter-in-law.
In retrospect, I think she is a good choice. She is focused on the opportunities of a reformed India, versus an empty campaign of "India Shining", and has caused the majority poor to make the move to vote and create a stir, with a positive chosen outcome. India needs some momentum outside of the fundamentalist, recently ditched Hindu government. It will definitely be an interesting change worth following in the news. Maybe the name of Gandhi can redeem India once again. No bets being placed just yet...
In retrospect, I think she is a good choice. She is focused on the opportunities of a reformed India, versus an empty campaign of "India Shining", and has caused the majority poor to make the move to vote and create a stir, with a positive chosen outcome. India needs some momentum outside of the fundamentalist, recently ditched Hindu government. It will definitely be an interesting change worth following in the news. Maybe the name of Gandhi can redeem India once again. No bets being placed just yet...
