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  • Power shift in capital Delhi

    LIVE: Power shift in capital Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal makes stunning debut - Hindustan Times

    The Congress was headed for a rout in Delhi on Sunday, with the BJP seemingly on the winning track but the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) putting up a spectacular show in the battle for the 70-member assembly.

    In Delhi's most keenly watched contest, AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal surged past chief minister Sheila Dikshit in the New Delhi assembly constituency, officials said. He was ahead of his two main rivals with 5,674 votes to his credit against 2,041 of Dikshit, who has been the chief minister of Delhi since 1998.

    Trends showed that Delhi was likely to end up with a hung assembly with no party receiving a clear majority. According to latest reports, the BJP was leading in 32 seats, while the AAP was ahead in 29 seats. The Congress was headed for a rude shock with leads in only eight constituencies.

    "Delhi has seen a pro-Aam Aadmi Party wave, not pro-Modi or pro-BJP wave," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. "In Delhi, we accept the verdict and will examine the results. We will find out what has gone wrong," Congress leader Jayanthi Natarajan said.

    Minutes before counting of Delhi assembly election votes began on Sunday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached many of the AAP candidates. He, however, stressed that his party won't provide support to any other political outfit.

    "We have done our best, now the results will tell. But it will be a victory for the people and the Indian politics will very soon see a change," Kejriwal told CNN-IBN on Sunday morning.

    "We do not think of posts, we think of the nation," he said when asked whether his party was thinking about Cabinet formation if AAP wins.

    The state witnessed a record voting of more than 66% on Wednesday, the highest ever since it became a state in 1993. Both BJP and debutant Aam Aadmi Party have claimed the high turnout will work in their favour.

    The BJP had thrown in all its might behind the polls. The party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi held five rallies in the metropolis. Its Delhi leaders and activists organised at least 230 public meetings in 10 days alone.

    It had promised voters 85% seats in Delhi colleges will be reserved for Delhiites or alternatively, Delhiites to be given 4% concession in marks, a parking master plan, single window clearance for setting up new businesses, mono rail and adding more coaches to Metro train and lifelong availability of essential drugs.

    It had also promised introduction of special provisions for students from north-east states: a 24-hour helpline and special arrangements at police stations besides expanding availability of domestic help and reduce their exploitation by introducing special training centres.

    A string of corruption scandals such as Commonwealth Games irregularities and the outrage over the lack of security for women in the wake of the brutal gang rape of a nursing student have been read as potential anti-incumbency factors.

    The Congress' tally of seats has been steadily falling since 1998, when it regained power. In that year, it won 52 seats and BJP 15.

    The party again had a convenient majority in 2003 elections, when it won 47 seats against the BJP's 20. In 2008, Congress won 43 seats against BJP's 23.

    Delhi has witnessed a triangular fight twice in the past. Once, the Congress benefited from it and the next time the BJP got the better of its adversaries.

    In the previous triangular fights, the Congress led by HKL Bhagat, Delhi's strongman, humbled the BJP in the Delhi Metropolitan Council (the elected body before the Assembly was constituted) elections in 1983 largely because the Janata Party nominees split the anti-Congress vote.

    In 1993, the BJP campaign spearheaded by Madan Lal Khurana, the party's best-known face in the capital, trounced the Congress since the presence of Janata Dal nominees split the secular vote.

    The Janata Dal led by Ramvir Singh Bidhuri had a secret understanding with Khurana and the Congress had no answers to superior tactics.
    The Congress government has been toppled in Delhi's Legislative Assembly after 15 years in power. The big surprise is the ascension of the AAP (Aam Admi Party; literally, 'Common Man's Party'). The AAP was only established a year ago, as a political face of the 2012 Indian anti-corruption movement which saw mass protests throughout the country. It's comprised of common, middle class folks and political novices who are completely new to the world of politics, so their routing of the Congress is really something. Interesting times ahead.
    Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
    -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

  • #2
    Ex-commando wins polls in Delhi


    The former NSG commando Surender Singh who was severely injured during 26/11 Mumbai attack while flushing out militants from Taj hotel, emerged victorious in political field also as he won from Delhi Cantonment seat on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket.

    Mr. Singh defeated BJP’s Karan Singh Tanwar by a margin of 355 votes from Delhi Cantt seat.

    He was left hearing impaired after a grenade explosion during the rescue operation at Taj Hotel.

    Later he plunged into politics after retiring from active service.

    Hailing from a family of limited means in Jhajjar of Haryana, Surender has served in the Army for 14 years.

    Mr. Singh was severely wounded in Operation Black Tornado while rescuing people trapped inside Taj Hotel. The 35-year-old commando who was on a deputation from the Army’s Grenadiers unit, joined the rescue operation barely four days after his first child was born.

    He was discharged from service after a medical board ruled him unfit for service.

    Ex-commando wins polls in Delhi - The Hindu
    From pleading with the government for months to get them to release his pension, after being declared unfit to serve by the army due to injuries sustained in the 26/11 rescue ops, to finding his way to the legislative assembly. A good show...
    Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
    -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

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    • #3
      You want this thread to be just about delhi or can we discuss the results in the 4 other states that had elections too ?

      Originally posted by Tronic View Post
      The Congress government has been toppled in Delhi's Legislative Assembly after 15 years in power. The big surprise is the ascension of the AAP (Aam Admi Party; literally, 'Common Man's Party'). The AAP was only established a year ago, as a political face of the 2012 Indian anti-corruption movement which saw mass protests throughout the country. It's comprised of common, middle class folks and political novices who are completely new to the world of politics, so their routing of the Congress is really something. Interesting times ahead.
      If it wasn't for the AAP the BJP would have had another rout. Right now given the hung assembly there is uncertainty until enough allies can be cobbled together.

      AAP might have purchase in Delhi, but its showing in other places remains to be seen.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Tronic View Post
        From pleading with the government for months to get them to release his pension, after being declared unfit to serve by the army due to injuries sustained in the 26/11 rescue ops, to finding his way to the legislative assembly. A good show...
        We need more ex-IA servicemen in politics. Always felt we had too few..

        As for the elections, aside from Delhi, the BJP was always expected to do well in the other three states. The size of the victories may be discomfiting to the Congress though.
        Last edited by Firestorm; 09 Dec 13,, 16:02.

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        • #5
          Whatever,

          I am glad that Congress is getting the boot. Good riddance to them and the Gandhi cronies.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Blademaster View Post
            Whatever,

            I am glad that Congress is getting the boot. Good riddance to them and the Gandhi cronies.
            Good thing is, the Gandhi crown prince seems to have the all the charm and intellect of a toad and has a magnificent record of helping the congress lose every state election where he tried to lead from the front. Hopefully he will further embellish his record in the national polls.
            Last edited by Firestorm; 09 Dec 13,, 18:45.

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            • #7
              Sheila Dipshit (mispelling intentional) has bungled the growth of New Delhi. She can't even get many of the projects on track and messed up the planning. She was responsible for the Commonwealth Games debacle in addition to Suresh Reddy.

              And she even had the gall to take credit for the subway system when in fact it was Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, the then head of DMRC, who got the subway built.
              Last edited by Blademaster; 09 Dec 13,, 21:00. Reason: Added more fact.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Blademaster View Post
                Sheila Dipshit (mispelling intentional) has bungled the growth of New Delhi. She can't even get many of the projects on track and messed up the planning. She was responsible for the Commonwealth Games debacle in addition to Suresh Reddy.
                No need to twist her last name. Plenty of people share it. And I think you mean Suresh Kalmadi.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Double Edge View Post
                  You want this thread to be just about delhi or can we discuss the results in the 4 other states that had elections too ?
                  Sure, though in my opinion, the AAP in Delhi has been the biggest surprise. The other 4 states is the same old contest between the same two parties. A rout of Congress is a positive development though, as it sends a strong message to the politicians to improve governance or get an electoral hiding.

                  If it wasn't for the AAP the BJP would have had another rout. Right now given the hung assembly there is uncertainty until enough allies can be cobbled together.
                  The amusing thing is that both the AAP and BJP are refusing to form a government. For them to do so, they would have to ally with the Congress and neither wishes to touch that party even with a 10 foot pole.

                  AAP might have purchase in Delhi, but its showing in other places remains to be seen.
                  I think it should be kept in mind that the party is barely a year old. To develop a national presence, they'll need a lot more time and a ton more of clean, untainted leaders. AAP will need a heavy campaigning/re-education drive to wean the people off sectarian politics prevalent in large tracts of India. It's a tall order to accomplish in a year's time.
                  Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
                  -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

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                  • #10
                    The problem with the AAP is their manifesto. It is pretty good for winning an election, but impossible to actually implement. They have made wild promises in it like reducing electricity tariffs by half and providing 700 liters of free water to every person. No one has any experience running even a village government and they are liable to fall flat on their faces if they actually try to deliver on their promises. Other stuff in their manifesto like opposing privatization and increasing taxes on the middle class harks back to the Nehruvian socialist days. They seem to be economically even more left of center than the nutbags in the CPI-M. Last thing India needs right now is more clueless socialists.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Tronic View Post
                      Sure, though in my opinion, the AAP in Delhi has been the biggest surprise.
                      Yes, never thought they had it in them, they were not given much of a chance.

                      Dixit goes out due to the high price of onions, same happened to Sushma in 1998. Fifteen years is an eternity.

                      Originally posted by Tronic View Post
                      The other 4 states is the same old contest between the same two parties. A rout of Congress is a positive development though, as it sends a strong message to the politicians to improve governance or get an electoral hiding.
                      Well, those 4 are a yardstick of sorts as to what to expect in the general election.

                      Two theories that i'm aware of.

                      - Due to the rise of coalition politics, congress has an edge over BJP in forming coalitions, therefore congress win. A weak win with numerous coalition partners with 'rent' dues.

                      - The electorate of late has been delivering thumping anti-incumbent mandates. We saw this in UP, Bihar & TN. We now see it in Rajasthan & Delhi. MP, Chattisgarh were moderate wins in comparison. But the larger trend is anti-incumbent and by a large margin. So BJP win.

                      The wild card is rate of urbanisation, more in the cities want the BJP than in the country. So BJP's chances increase as the rate of urbanisation.

                      Originally posted by Tronic View Post
                      The amusing thing is that both the AAP and BJP are refusing to form a government. For them to do so, they would have to ally with the Congress and neither wishes to touch that party even with a 10 foot pole.
                      LOL!

                      Originally posted by Tronic View Post
                      I think it should be kept in mind that the party is barely a year old. To develop a national presence, they'll need a lot more time and a ton more of clean, untainted leaders. AAP will need a heavy campaigning/re-education drive to wean the people off sectarian politics prevalent in large tracts of India. It's a tall order to accomplish in a year's time.
                      There are enough idealists that wanted to give the AAP a try. Hopefully they can influence things if not outright change them. Would put their strong showing down to enthuiastic youngsters. Anything that increases voter turnout is good. 75% for Rajasthan is pretty high.
                      Last edited by Double Edge; 09 Dec 13,, 23:45.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Double Edge View Post
                        Well, those 4 are a yardstick of sorts as to what to expect in the general election.

                        Two theories that i'm aware of.

                        - Due to the rise of coalition politics, congress has an edge over BJP in forming coalitions, therefore congress win. A weak win with numerous coalition partners with 'rent' dues.

                        - The electorate of late has been delivering thumping anti-incumbent mandates. We saw this in UP, Bihar & TN. We now see it in Rajasthan & Delhi. MP, Chattisgarh were moderate wins in comparison. But the larger trend is anti-incumbent and by a large margin. So BJP win.

                        The wild card is rate of urbanisation, more in the cities want the BJP than in the country. So BJP's chances increase as the rate of urbanisation.
                        Well, Indian electorate is often unpredictable so you never know what may happen 6 months down the line.

                        I was there in Punjab during last year's Punjab assembly elections. Everyone was frustrated at Akali rule and upbeat about a Congress win, so much so that Captain Amrinder hardly stepped out to campaign for his party. (Infact, I can't even recall if he went on a single campaign drive). Moreover, Punjab had been one state where the electorate had always voted for anti-incumbency. Everything seemed to be looking good for the Congress, yet the Akalis sweeped back into power. So I'm not holding my breath for the general elections next year.

                        One thing that is surely working for the BJP is that there is an anti-Congress wave due to the long list of corruption scandals, high inflation, economic slowdown and civil dissent pouring out into the streets. The people are frustrated and want the Congress gone.

                        Modi's BJP (I use this term as he seems to have become the face of it), as controversial of a figure Modi is, presents a strong alternative. Unlike the last elections where the BJP was in a disarray, Modi seems to have united the party. If the people do bring the BJP into power, the credit would go to Congress's bad governance rather then some 'pull' of Modi, what some BJP chaps seem to be implying.

                        I do not relate to the BJP's ideology one bit, yet at this point, I would rather have the BJP-Modi in the centre rather than the present government, especially with an unqualified chap like Rahul Gandhi as their poster boy.


                        There are enough idealists that wanted to give the AAP a try. Hopefully they can influence things if not outright change them. Would put their strong showing down to enthuiastic youngsters. Anything that increases voter turnout is good. 75% for Rajasthan is pretty high.
                        Originally posted by Firestorm View Post
                        The problem with the AAP is their manifesto. It is pretty good for winning an election, but impossible to actually implement. They have made wild promises in it like reducing electricity tariffs by half and providing 700 liters of free water to every person. No one has any experience running even a village government and they are liable to fall flat on their faces if they actually try to deliver on their promises. Other stuff in their manifesto like opposing privatization and increasing taxes on the middle class harks back to the Nehruvian socialist days. They seem to be economically even more left of center than the nutbags in the CPI-M. Last thing India needs right now is more clueless socialists.
                        AAP used populist promises to win the votes, though their proposed schemes are quite intriguing. For example, dishing out 700 litres of free water to each person may not be the most practical decision but if you delve deeper, they touch on the water crisis and lay out plans to implement 'water harvesting' and 'water recycling' systems en-mass. While such schemes already exist for the whole country, their implementation has been extremely slow, and plagued by bureaucratic hurdles. Having more dedicated politicos looking after the implementation may get things moving in the right direction.

                        For electricity, they are not proposing reducing the tariffs, but rather, carrying out independent audits of utility service distributors to reduce any inflated billing. I don't know how they came up with that 50% number but I suppose it's a target. They want to subsidize PV panels, allowing folks to install them over their houses and pump electricity back into the grid. They want Delhi to go atleast 20% solar in the next 10 years.

                        As a mechanical engineering undergrad doing my final degree project on large-scale economically viable water harvesting, conservation and filtration systems (for India and other middle income countries), AAP's manifesto intrigues me. I'm also specializing in the thermal engineering stream with a focus on renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, biomass and OTEC). So all in all, I'm biased towards any party which gives importance to these issues and places such alternatives in their manifesto. ;)
                        Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
                        -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

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                        • #13
                          The AAP debut is amazing. The Delhi results have shown that people are really looking for an alternative away from Cong and BJP.

                          The other three states are amazing too. The Congress rout speaks volumes of the peoples mandate.

                          Cheers!...on the rocks!!

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                          • #14
                            I'm quite unfamiliar with the internal politics of India, but I sincerely hope this is a positive development.
                            sigpic

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                            • #15
                              This all sounds like something positive. The question with all 'insurgent/protest' movements is 'what next'. In order to survive & make an impact they inevitably have to become more structured & 'mainstream'. The balancing act is how you do that without junking all your principles & losing more votes than you gain. It sounds like there is a desire in India for an alternative to the existing large national parties. Be interesting to see where the AAP is in 5 years time.

                              Originally posted by Blademaster View Post
                              Sheila Dipshit (mispelling intentional) has bungled the growth of New Delhi. She can't even get many of the projects on track and messed up the planning. She was responsible for the Commonwealth Games debacle in addition to Suresh Reddy.
                              Glad you said it, I got accused of racism when I suggested the games were anything but the most perfectest thing ever.
                              sigpic

                              Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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