Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Less corrupt party preferred to more corrupt one' that was published in Newsband

Less corrupt party preferred to more corrupt one

In Karnataka, the Congress returned to power with a comfortable majority. It was a mandate against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Corruption, nepotism, non-governance, inefficiency, and instability all constituted the campaign themes in this multi-cornered contest. It is a verdict against corruption and non-governance,

The pro-Modi section will now openly blame L.K. Advani and his people for driving out Yeddyurappa and inviting defeat. The battle between these two sections is likely to intensify as the general election draws near.

Congress won majority in Karnataka, not because they have done any miracle in center but because BJP failed to deliver good governance in this premier state. People of Karnataka preferred a less corrupt party to a more corrupt one.

The verdict should be an eye opener for all the national parties hoping for their chances of their reign in 2014 parliamentary election. Its clear indication that people wants a clean and transparent government. BJP have paid for corruption and non governance in the last five years in Karnataka. The same verdict will repeat in 2014 general election against the corruption and non governance.

BJP in Karnataka should have learnt from Narendra Modi. BJP failed to adopt the Gujarat model in Karnataka. Residents of Karnataka have shown they don’t want to give non performers another chance. It is a well evolved mature decision of the people. They just want to kick out inefficient and self serving government and try someone else. Congress is just a benefactor of this decision.

Had BJP delivered good administration, there could have been positive effects in other states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra. A good opportunity to expand the BJP base towards South was lost due to personalities who had little time to take action to improve the living condition of people. Five years for development, growth, education, health improvement, job creation were wasted by the former rulers.

 Known devils are better than unknown angels. That is the verdict of the people of Karnataka. In spite of the several shortcomings in the Congress party the BJP when provided the opportunity proved to be the cure being worse than the disease. The people want a socially compatible peaceful atmosphere free from communal flare ups and feudal mind sets as demonstrated by the hoodlums masquerading as custodians of Hindu culture going about bashing up young emancipated women simply because they chose to spend their leisure with young men. The BJP is guilty of spreading communal hatred among the population and creating a divide among the people based on religion which is not acceptable in this secular country.

A consistent problem, however, has been that people's verdict was seldom honoured by offering good governance, irrespective of the  party or grouping voted to power. Every government relapsed into the same mode of populism and amassing wealth ignoring development models and people's needs.