Tuesday 17 February 2015

“Does Delhi Rule India (AAP) or India Rule Delhi (BJP)? – The Power of a Common Man!”– Professor M.S.Rao













“Democracy is an objective. Democratization is a process. Democratization serves the cause of peace because it offers the possibility of justice and of progressive change without force.” -  Boutros Boutros-Ghali


Recently I posted an article on the stupendous electoral success of Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi elections 2015. The response was overwhelming with many readers appreciating it while one reader commented that ‘India elects Delhi and Delhi doesn’t elect India’. I would like to share my views in this regard.

The message is that Narendra Modi was elected as the Prime Minister by entire Indians whereas Kejriwal was elected as the Chief Minister by Delhi people only. The Delhi elections are an indication that there is a political vacuum not only in New Delhi but also across the country for third alternative. Arvind Kejriwal’s clearly said that he would focus on Delhi only for 5 years, and it is a step in the right direction. Technically speaking, it is always advisable operate where we are strong and then spread wings gradually depending on the political situation. I am sure Kejriwal would spread his wings across India gradually. Nobody can predict whether he would survive or not at the national level. But presently it appears that people are disillusioned with dynastic politics, corruption and religious intolerance. People expect a lot from all stakeholders including politicians. It has also become a challenge for political analysts to predict the mindset of voters as they shift their loyalties in a lightening speed. The politicians should not take voters for granted based on caste, religion and regional factors. People want delivery, not rhetoric. People want secular fabric, not fanatic society. People want corrupt-free society where there is an opportunity for all to accomplish their ambitions. Overall, people want politicians to perform or perish. The Delhi elections are a clear mandate to ensure checks and balances for the political parities, and it is a strong message that voters cannot be taken for granted.

Discussing about AAP’s strategy to become the third alternative, previously many political parties came together as a third alternative due to political convenience.  After completion of the national elections, they collapsed due to their ideological differences and opportunism. Hence, people are not in a position to trust those political parties which is a combination of few parties including Left and regional parties.  People are not in a mood to trust any party or front with credibility to project as a third alternative. In the present context, AAP appears to be the only party to excel as a third front to fill the political vacuum. The AAP’s experiment in Delhi was successful. We have to see whether it will be successful at the national level. Currently Kejriwal is a David who took on mighty Goliath, Modi in Delhi elections. When he enters into national elections, he must be in a position to take on many more such mighty Goliaths. Is he ready to take on? Only time will tell.

The Delhi elections are a fight between humility and arrogance. It is a fight between the common man and the elite people. The election outcome clearly shows the power of the common man. Hence, never underestimate the power of the common man. It is the common man who will decide the fate of political leaders and destiny of India.  To conclude, whether India rules Delhi or Delhi rules India, India as a nation must grow in all spheres with emphasis on fraternity and brotherhood.  Jai Hind!


“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” - Abraham Lincoln




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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“One Person who can Change the World is YOU!” – Professor M.S.Rao










“Be the change that you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi


People often express their apprehensions that one person cannot do anything. Numerically it appears to be accurate but in reality, it is the one person who can change the society and the world.

One person who pioneered India’s independence based on truth and non-violence was Mahatma Gandhi. One person whose dream of one society without any color discrimination was Martin Luther King Jr. One person who was in jail for almost three decades to end apartheid in South Africa was Nelson Mandela. One person who dedicated entire life for leper and stood out as mother of compassion in the world was Mother Teresa. These leaders began as one person. Over a period of time, they set their vision, build their teams, and worked hard to bring the change. They changed the course of history and excelled as legends globally.

In India, when BJP was on a losing spree, Narendra Modi came forward and aggressively toured and grew as a strong leader within the BJP. He showed the world that a tea seller can become Prime Minister of India. In the recent Delhi elections, Arvind Kejriwal started Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and persuaded the voters and won the elections with spectacular performance outsmarting Modi who is a Goliath. Therefore, history shows that there are number of people who started small with a great vision and worked with passion and persuaded their people and changed the course of history. Once it is possible for them, it is possible for you as well. Remember, one person who can change the world is YOU!


“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” - Nelson Mandela


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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Sunday 15 February 2015

“Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadami Party’s Success in Delhi Elections and Leadership Lessons for Indian Democracy” – Professor M.S.Rao












“The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.” - Mahatma Gandhi


Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadami Party’s (AAP) stupendous success shows the might of Indian democracy to the world.  It was like a David (Kejriwal) taking on the mighty Goliath (Modi). This spectacular verdict is totally unexpected by many people even by political pundits as nobody could gauge the mood of the people exactly. The exit polls showed the win of AAP but even they could not predict landslide win for Kejriwal. It is obvious that voters cannot be taken for granted. Delhi voters have rejected both caste and religion politics which is a sign of strength for democracy in India. This poll outcome shows that it is not the elite will get elected but also common man will get elected and occupy the office. It also shows that it is not only the tea seller but also bureaucrats with a clean image can occupy the chair if they pursue their causes sincerely and seriously. Here are some of the reasons for success of AAP and leadership lessons for other political parties.

Kejriwal was a simple and humble man. He set an example by walking his talk.  He apologized Delhi voters as he resigned as Chief Minister due to lack of clear mandate when he became Chief Minister in the previous elections. It persuaded voters to give a clear mandate. When Kiran Bedi who was his colleague crusaded against corruption along with Anna Hazare became his political opponent, he did not badmouth like other politicians. He commented that Kiran Bedi was a nice person who will be made scapegoat by BJP later which proved to be correct. It showed Kejriwal’s great character to praise his opponent. It was unfortunate that he was not invited during Barack Obama’s visit for Republic Day Parade 2015.

Kejriwal didn’t give up when the media mood was against him. He persisted with a lot of patience to keep his cadre together and his vision intact. Some of the senior leaders who were opportunists resigned AAP before the elections and indulged in mud-slinging. He maintained cool and calm posture without badmouthing. A lot of money was thrown into the elections to defeat Kejriwal but ultimately people voted Kejriwal which indicates that people don’t bow down to money and muscle power.  Since Kejriwal was simple, humble and practical man, the Delhi voters pinned a lot of faith in his leadership. It is a great burden for Kejriwal to live up to their expectations. Throughout his political career he kept his passion and vision intact despite being under threat. He reached to common man and was highly accessible. It all paid off at the end.

Kejriwal must focus on Delhi politics first to establish gradually across India. If he continues in this way, he can become third alternative in Indian politics as presently there is political vacuum for third alternative in India. It is a great opportunity for Kejriwal to have vision to spread his wings in future nationally.

BJP must check its arrogance to stay relevant. It must stop talking about religious conversions and must stand by secularism to keep India united as a great nation. Congress must reinvent immediately to avoid getting into oblivion. It must overcome elitist outlook and must listen to the pulse of the people rather than banking on caste and minority vote bank politics. The world is changing rapidly and India is also changing rapidly. Therefore, both BJP and Congress must evolve accordingly because the leadership tools and techniques that were successful for them in the past may not be successful in future. In the long run, two or three party system is ideal for national politics in India and to keep democracy vibrant.

To summarize, the Delhi elections demonstrated that Indian democracy is very strong. It is the voter and common man who will decide the fate of the political leaders. There is no room for money and muscle power, and caste and religion politics. It appears that Indian democracy and India is going in the right direction. We all Indians must strive hard to keep democracy intact where people of all religions, regions, languages, faiths, castes, and communities live together with fraternity and brotherhood. Jai Hind!


“The test of a democracy is not the magnificence of buildings or the speed of automobiles or the efficiency of air transportation, but rather the care given to the welfare of all the people.” - Helen Adams Keller, lecturer and author


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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.