The online advertisements of the political parties—the copy, the fonts, the colours, the issues, the flash videos—makes for an interesting case study in the changing psychology of the parties, their leaders, and their image consultants.
- “No compromise with corruption. No compromise with terrorism. Choose a leader who can take tough decisions in tough times. L.K. Advani for PM,” reads the BJP’s pitch for vikas purush.
- “The party that laid the foundation of modern India. Computer revolution. Mission Chandrayaan. Voting rights for youth. Women’s empowerment. Aam aadmi ke badhte kadam, har kadam par Bharat bulund,” goes the Congress screamer, with the visages of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The pastels are soft. The appeal is plaintive. The indication is subtle, that they don’t want this for themselves, but for cause and country.
On the other hand, Kumari Mayawati Chandawati Devi alias Behen Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) makes no bones about what she is after. She opts for the static jugular, while imperiously crossing her legs, and sitting on the kind of throne that the “oppressors” have sat on and lorded from for centuries.
Photograph: courtesy Bahujan Samaj Party
Also read: Politics as advertisement
churumuri 
None would mind a Dalit, that too a woman becoming a PM. One wishes that the aspirant was less osentatious and corrupt, more upright, not prone to abuse of power and of sterling character. Just as the fact that Obama was a black presidential candidate was an incidental factor, in this case too, the fact that this aspirant is a Dalit woman should have been an incidental factor, not The Factor.
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Gururaj – I think there are reasons our politicians behave ostentatiously. There are solid and very practical reasons why they have big birthday bashes and have their statutes (Mayawati) etc etc. These are the tools they use in order to connect with their committed and probable voters.
Have you ever seen anybody protest such ostentation? Yes, some “educated” folks might crib…they don’t vote anyways.
I also think you are wrong on Obama. He being Black was a huge draw and not incidental at all to his ultimate victory. I would say a “White” Obama would have fared less of a chance. (But with Bush’s reputation anybody would have won against the Republicans). Everybody spoke about the first Black US President. No one spoke of “that young man from Hawaii and then in Chicago”.
Much induced White “guilt” played its part in voting him in. Obama himself may not have played up his blackness…but that work was done by his campaigners.
I must admit Obama does not impress me one bit.
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Was planning to comment — till I read Palahalli’s comment. So, I’ll just say ditto — well said Palahalli..
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(not relevant, but this may be of interest to some)
“Your prime minister is a wonderful man,” Obama said, having just met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Did you have something to do with that?” the president teased her. “You seem to kind of take –take credit for it a little bit there,” he said laughing.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/some-human-mome.html
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Jaya Jaya Bharata Mayambal!
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Dear Palahalli,
Obama did not seek election as a Black candidate for the Presidency, though others might have perceived him as a Black candidate. This is in contradistinction with some of our candidates who seek vote in the names of their religion or caste. Being unimpressed with Obama is an altogether different issue!
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she has started her campaign this time from kerala and now going all over the country. She is so confident that she had not even addressed a single rally in UP till now.
May be she is not aiming for top job in this election, but with consolidated and loyal vote base .. future is her’s
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Today’s Indian Women Politicians..Does nt that bring a whiff of disappointment..Likes of Jayalalitha,Mamata,Mayawati have brought such bad name to this ilk because of things like corruption, political tantrums etc..If only we had some good women leaders,it would have been progressive factor for the country..Dalit or not,ONLY Deserving candidates should get a good chance for the top post !
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PM post is reserved for the (Best Secular Party) BSP
Prabuddha Bharatha Matha Mayawati !
What is BSP’s new name?
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s supporters have coined a new name for their party – not just Bahujan Samaj Party but also the Best Secular Party (BSP).
Busy campaigning for the party, BSP activists in Lucknow can be seen these days carrying flags with the `new name’ – minus the original name.
MAYAWATI FOR PRIME MINISTER !
VOTE BSP ELEPHANT FOR CHANGE FOR THE BETTER !
FOR SELF RESPECT!
GET A VOTE AND A NOTE!
FOR BSP!
DONT WAIT BUT BAIT!
TO GRAB THE MASTER KEY!
Mayawati
Make me PM
Write Down on the Wall was Dr. Ambedkar’s Sign !
Two Thousand Nine !
Will Be Mine !
– Says Ms Mayawati Bahen !
Now is all that you have!
By voting for BSP, the Nation you save!
2008 Bahen Mayawati the UttarPradesh Chief Minister !
2009PrabuddhaBharatha Matha the Prime Minister !
Image:Bahujansamajpartysymbol.png
[Bahujan Samaj Party Flag]
Most of the political pundits are suggesting a dramatic Bahujan Samaj Party win with Mayawati becoming the new Prime Minister.
Mayawati stresses on door-to-door campaign
‘UP hui hamari hai, ab Delhi ki bari hai’ (UP is ours, now it is the turn of Delhi), will turn into a reality,” said Mayawati
Social Transformation!
And Economical Emancipation!
Through
Testing the efficacy of social engineering!
By
Mighty Great Mind Training!
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Not a comment – Just an info ……
A woman called Sonia Gandhi is fighting against Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule from Baramati! Her husband’s name is also Rajeev Gandhi!
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I believe that, there is no Dalit or Brahmin. There were always people with power and people without power.
Dalit or Brahmin is a just card used by powerful. Always, people with power oppressed the other people without power. Same slogan applies to all..
“swajana hitayacha, swajana sukhayacha”
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Gururaj – Yes, being unimpressed by Obama is a different matter.
I’m not clear why you think Obama did not project himself as the Black Hope. Especially since it was/is the most Politically Correct thing to do.
This is certainly different from saying he fought as a Black candidate but he did not have to. His constituency was assured.
Please read Obama’s own words and how smartly he handles his stance –
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords/
For effect, just look at how the Republicans reacted with their own Black party boss.
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But all said and done, Caste yet matters.
That is the reason politicians are creating rifts and ensuring their ends are met.
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God save mera barath mahan with the sort of integrity she has , like everone else here her being a dalit is not the really question.
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God save India if Maya ben becomes a PM for this country!!
Imagine her giving a speech in UN or for that matter, speaking to Pervez Musharraff (I am sure Pervez Mian will lose this battle ;-) )
How will she behave when the Opposition Benches storm the well to protest against the Government in the parliament?
What she would do if she is invited to inaugurate a temple other than belonging to either Ambedkar or Buddha?
What is her response to so called Manu-vadi babus who are in the Parliament Annexe?
The list grows………..
***
One more thing to add…
We can afford to have a Dalit Prime Minister… definitely not a Dacoit….. and a daring one at that!!
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Why do people always rise their finger against Jayalalita as a corrupt person. M Karunanidi and his family and followers are more corrupt and they own 20% of Chennai and and all over Tamil Nadu. Jayalalita showed her wealth during a wedding, but the MK family has not shown it to the public. MK’s kith and kin are 100 times more corrupt.
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She may be getting support from ‘dalits’ but she not ‘dalit’ anymore. Why should we despise her becoming the PM. Afterall we opted for democracy and she is getting popular support. However, I do not think she will get to the chair of PM.
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