Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had this to say in his speech on submitting his resignation.
“I do, however, have the satisfaction that our country is now stronger and more prosperous than when you placed the reins of office in my hands. India’s strides in social and economic development during the past few years have announced her capability as well as resolve to emerge as a developed nation soon. My party and alliance may have lost, but India has won.”
About the NDA and their loss:
- Did they not govern the country better than their predecessors?
They did! - Did they not strive to improve the quality of life in India?
They did! - Did they not encourage the people to dream?
They did! - Did they not try to hold the sick Public Sector units accountable?
They did! - Did they not make an attempt to bring in foreign investment into India?
They did! - Did they not make the most successful attempt so far in bringing peace with Pakistan?
They did! - Did they not promote the building of new roads/highways to connect people across vast distances, thus potentially leading to increased trade and lowering of transportation costs?
They did! - Did they over-estimate the success/prosperity they brought about by their governance?
Unfortunately, They did! - Did they, after doing so many things right, take the common man for granted?
Unfortunately, They did! - Did they blunder by trying to turn the Indian election campaign into a US Presidential race type popularity contest?
Unfortunately, They did! - Did they try to use snazzy marketing that turned out to be hollow when shown to rural India?
Unfortunately, They did! - Did they proclaim to have done everything that needed to be done?
Unfortunately, They did! - Did they eventually show the common man why they deserved to continue in government?
Unfortunately, They did not!
And that is why the NDA is not in power anymore.
- However, is this a bad thing?
I think not.
The NDA has successfully taken India to a place from where it can now launch forward towards eradicating several problems. Most importantly, it has carried forward the seeds of reforms that were begun by who probably will come back to be the new Finance Minister. It is unlikely that he will turn back on something he himself envisioned for India in the first place. - Am I happy for that he is probably going to come back?
Yes, and No.
Yes, because ofcourse, come on, its Him!
No, because he is going to be faced with trying to pacify a bunch of red asses who worship a red cloth with a sickle drawn on it! - So am I optimistic for India?
Yes whole heartedly! - Am I unhappy that the NDA did not come back to power?
Yes and No
Yes, because of all the reasons laid out above.
No, because this will give them a chance to circumspect into the mistakes they made and also a chance to provide a constructive role in the opposition until they can come back the next time round.