Captain GR Gopinath founded Air Deccan and is considered a pioneer in the low-cost airline sector. He recently joined Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party.Till a month ago, the debates between leaders were largely healthy and focussed on issues of development and governance. A certain audaciousness was there, but it added to spice up the debate and the audience welcomed it.
Narendra Modi, supremely-self confident, focused his speeches on development, good governance and his personal integrity. Right after he was appointed as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, he said development should be the only
mantra for every Indian, the Constitution the only scripture. He said we need less government but more governance.
He promised 24x7 power to the whole country. He showcased Gujarat where emphasis was on one-third manufacturing, one-third agriculture and one-third services for balanced growth. He assured he would replicate the same if BJP was elected to power. Of course his model could be argued as being flawed, but he had a clear vision for India and he articulated it well. He came across as a strong leader who was decisive.
Rahul Gandhi after months of inertia, pushed the Lokpal Bill, took credit for getting it passed, and then worked on pitching other legislation to paint himself as a leader on a mission against corruption. He spoke about the achievements of UPA 1 and 2 in introducing the Right to Information Act and the Food Security Act. He attacked the secular credentials of Modi and what he described as the BJP leader's dictatorial style of leadership.
After the spectacular performance of AAP in the Delhi elections, both the Congress and BJP and their leaders realised that elections can only be won on a development plank that will appeal across castes, communities and regions. They understood that their ability to win voters' confidence would be rooted in how they spoke of eliminating corruption and creating jobs and a vibrant economy. And not on vague outworn 'garibi hatao' slogans or promises to build a Ram Mandir or doling out more subsidies.
Arvind Kejriwal came in late into the campaigning. He was a media favourite, and seen as the go-to for the youth and urban middle class. He was the underdog who was fighting against the behemoths. AAP lost some sheen after Kejriwal resigned in a rush as Delhi Chief Minister, but his party was still seen as a window of opportunity.
To entrepreneurs at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he said he was against crony capitalism and not against business. He promised to usher in reforms which would stand up as enablers for business. If his economic vision lacked depth, it didn't seem to particularly bother India Inc at the time. On the election circuit, he targeted Modi in particular for being close to prominent business houses, but also championed the Jan Lok Pal Bill and other anti-graft measures.
As voting gets closer, the speeches have become more shrill across the board, the attacks have become personal and ugly.
Modi, who had wisely ignored Kejriwal's personal attacks on him when he called Modi a stooge of crony capitalists and in particular on the take of Mukesh Ambani and also benefiting from largesse of Adani, hit back and called Kejriwal an 'AK-49' and a Pakistani agent. Sonia Gandhi accused Modi of promoting communalism and said he practices the politics of hatred. Modi charged that she ensured leniency in the case of the Italian marines arrested for the murder of Kerala fishermen because they are from her home country.
There was more and worse. Iqbal Masood the Congress candidate said he would cut Modi to pieces if he attempted to create a Gujrath in UP. Akhilesh Yadav said Modi was like a hyena. Salman Kurshid taunted Modi and called him impotent but quickly backtracked and said he was speaking figuratively.
And the limelight has also now moved away from issues to high- profile contests and speculation on who will be pitted against Modi in Varanasi and Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli.
The debates have become vacuous.
It would be nice to rewind to a few weeks ago.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing on the blog do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.