Debate may save the National Parties
  • Manmohan Singh vs Advani March 27, 2009

    Debate is a very Good Idea.

    One great thing about The Debate is, the media will become a powerful and responsible pillar of the Indian Democracy. If the media act with total responsibility, the debate is a very good thing to do.

    But the media, in US, always take the sides with one party or another. CNN for Democrats and Fox for Republican. That is not the right thing to do. If the media always with the people, and if they represent the people of the country, then democracy will survive.

    CNN supported Obama. Now CNN will be held accountable for Obama's success and for his failure. That is the truth the media have to realize. They can not be part of the administration; then why they have to be the part of campaign.

    So, if the Indian media assume the role with total responsibility, then the debate is a way to go. It should be a serious thing; no commercial breaks. Then the debate will have all the significance. People will take it very seriously and will get a chance to know about the CEO of the nation.

    Not only the people of India will watch it; the whole region will watch it; perhaps the whole world will watch it.

    For the national parties, this is the right thing to do. Certainly it will help the national parties to face the challenges from the Regional Leaders. The regional leaders will be forced to announce their candidate for the Prime Minister. That will be an acid test for the commitment of those regional leaders.

    Those regional leaders may meet and discuss and perhaps may come up with a candidate for the CEO of the nation. Or they may fail in this acid test. If they fail, then the national parties will become more stronger.

    If the regional leaders announce their candidate for the CEO of the nation, then it will be more challenge for the national parties. The candidate for the CEO of India, from the regional leaders will be a very strong and independent leader. That candidate will certainly emerge out of the debate as a very strong leader.

    But the truth is; there will not be any debate, at least for 2009.

    If there is a debate between, Manmohan Singh and Advani, then everyone will forget their party leaders. The party leaders will certainly not like the debate idea.

    By now, the party leader may question Advani,
    "who gave you the permission to talk about debate."

    For Manmohan Singh, he need to ask
    Sonia's permission to participate in the debate.

    The party leaders are not ready to give up their power and identity. They would like to project that they are the CEO makers. The candidate for the CEO of the nation do not have the real power.

    So, don't worry; there will not be any debate.