The New Indian Middle Class by Pavan K. Varma

Author:Pavan K. Varma
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: CURRENT AFFAIRS
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India

EPILOGUE

W

hat does the middle class hope to achieve from the general elections in 2014, and those beyond? We have discussed the strengths of this class, its weaknesses, its past predilections, the choices before it and the need for it to engage with issues before casting a vote. We have also examined the danger of cynical politicians wishing to manipulate this class for political gain, and the propensity of many educated Indians to be swayed by rhetoric and mischievous propaganda. For all these dangers, there are certain obvious goals which the middle class must pursue through the ballot box. These must be discussed, and the actions that go with them touched upon.

2014 presents an opportunity for the middle class to assert the need for a new political idiom that devalues cynicism, values honesty, is far more people-friendly and participatory, and rejects the blatant display of the trappings of power and the pomp and paraphernalia of office. The political class is aware of this search among educated Indians. However, the danger is that it will seek to pursue its old agendas and manner of functioning while paying lip service to the new aspirations of the middle class. All middle-class voters will need that extra surge of vigilance to checkmate this duplicity. Basic tools in this endeavour would include checking closely the antecedents of political candidates, examining manifestos and promises rigorously, interrogating fund-raising methodologies and expenditures of parties for and during the elections, and focusing on specifics in terms of performance expectations.

A notable entry on the political stage is the AAP. It is not a party only of the middle class, but a large segment of the middle class thinks it is. The reason is simple: the avowed goal of AAP is to bring about a radical change in the template of politics and governance, and bring politics closer to the common person with new systems of accountability. Its electoral symbol, the broom, very eloquently demonstrates what it wishes to do, which is to sweep away the corrupt dead wood of the past and bring back idealism, honesty and simplicity into politics. These are precisely the things most of the middle class also wants to see.

However, the attempt of the middle class to appropriate AAP in terms of its own interests, should not limit the stated goals of AAP to work also for the poorest of the poor; nor should the middle class judge the party for its lack of fidelity only to a middle-class constituency. Having caught the pulse of the nation in terms of the need for drastic change, AAP has widespread support but it is as yet a fledgling force, and needs to work much harder to preserve its ideological coherence and organizational structure. The middle class needs to give this new political force time, and avoid premature disenchantment or exaggerated expectations. At the same time, it will need to watch the trajectory of AAP carefully, interrogate its tactical tools, and question its policy decisions wherever necessary.

The middle class will naturally also participate in the elections to pursue the goal of better governance.

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