Comments on: Independents speak softly, carry a big placard

By: anup

anup — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:08:48 +0000

Dara
“So what is wrong in what these people are trying to do?”

—for all their sincerity & integrity the prob. is that the system is such that they won’t be able to do a damn even if elected & from another angle what stop’s all these ‘clean characters’ to get together & contest the elections as a united force? their bloated ego’s, so at the end of the day they’re of the autocratic mindset which is detrimental to a democracy.

By: anup

anup — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:02:46 +0000

“Despite the criticism and skepticism, however, it would seem that independents such as Sanyal, dancer Mallika Sarabhai in Ahmedabad and GR Gopinath in Bangalore are shaking things up this election.”

—Yeah; amongst the ‘pappu’s’ who don’t vote…

By: ramanji

ramanji — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:15:13 +0000

Election coverage by the media is very much biased towards select metro cities. Hardly any debate or discussions take place on problems relating to rural and semi urban areas.Showing some celebrities voting on the TV from Mumbai alone is not suffice to focus on the depth of Indian democracy.Hardly any coverage on independent candidates contesting from rural and semi urban areas. Really some candidates have done commendable jobs.Why this regional bias? Is media more interested in selling news only ?

By: Saeed

Saeed — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:40:41 +0000

Constituitionally Indepentdent candidates have full rights to contest elections but i still feel they are more of a spoilers.In south mumbai constituency there is a direct fight between the Congress and Shiv Sena. I personally feel the voters should select a good secular candidate between the two or whoever has a better chance to win.

By: Dara

Dara — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:16:10 +0000

I fail to understand this bias against independents, just because they are independents or even celebrities. Truth be told I had never heard of Meera Sanyal before. I think most here too were not familiar with her. Somehow just because she stands for elections alone, she suddenly is considered page 3 or celebrity status.

Wouldn’t it be better if we discussed the issues that she brings out and find fault with that. That no one has done anything for Mumbai and Mumbaikers? Is that in dispute? Aren’t we shooting the messenger in criticising her? Aren’t politicians like Amar Singh, the Bollywood crowd and a whole heap of others also page 3 types? Some of them have pretty shady dealings too? Why this frontal attack on people who seem to be trying to make a difference and putting their money where their mouth is? Aren’t we always talking of cleansing the system of the corrupt and sleaze that has set in? So what is wrong in what these people are trying to do? Don’t they deserve a chance too?

I agree she will probably lose, but that makes her more courageous and to me shows more character then the rest of the tried and failed caboodle that passes off for servants of the public. I think people like her deserve our respect.

By: Darshana

Darshana — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:58:53 +0000

I hope and wish that these independent candidates win this time. It would set a record of sorts in Indian Politics.

By: Maya

Maya — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:29:51 +0000

@ hritik Happy 2009 !! Didnt you notice 15th May is a Friday hence she needs to join work on Monday 18th May

By: naresh

naresh — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:54:14 +0000

Isn’t Shiv Khera participating this time around? Wonder how many votes he can drum up on his promise of a corruption-free world.

And as for Vineet, I don’t think any independent candidates in India have been covered so well before as this election. They actually have a chance this time — thanks to the youth in cities who have senn and heard their message through blogs, YouTube and television debates.

Meera Sanyal actually has a good chance.

By: thetrajectory

thetrajectory — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:12:17 +0000

i fully support the Independents, but will their popular support result in actual electoral victories. Most of these independents have impressive credentials and ardently hope that they win, but perhaps they are contesting more to create public awarness than win elections.

http://thetrajectory.com/blogs/?p=334

By: Ing Shiong

Ing Shiong — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:07:42 +0000

@ Rina, South Bombay is a state of the mind, and in that sense, Vineet’s right: you’ve never ever stepped out ! Your reportage on Sonia just is another evidence in favour of that prognosis.