Recently, elections were held — within few months apart of each other — in two countries of which I am a proud citizen — Australia and India. After following both the elections closely, I couldn't help but compare the outcomes, the subsequent leaders & parties who have come to power, and what this change in guard means for both the countries. After reading the uncanny similarities and stark differences below you will know why I love one election result and, to put it mildly, dislike the other.
Similarities:
- Both parties — LNP in Australia and BJP in India — were relegated to opposition for two terms before the recent elections.
- Both parties won handsomely with a big majority and left the opposite parties — ALP in Aus and Congress in India — to lick their wound.
- Both party leaders — Tony Abbott in Australia and Narendra Modi in India — are pro-business.
- Major parties in both nations were worried about an entry of new dark horse in the contest — PUP in Australia and AAP in India.
- People of both nation voted for change. Change for better. Change for hope.
Differences:
- One party campaigned for change for better and hope, other party was building their case on set of lies, deceit and scaring the bejesus out of people.
- Even though pro-business, one party has put betterment of poor at the forefront and other party is thinking only about the rich and how to screw poorest of the society.
- One party's motto is सबका साथ, सबका विकास (Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth) and other party is playing us vs. them — rich vs. poor, employers vs. employees — game.
- One party thinks education is a basic right, other one thinks it's a business, students are consumers and should pay for their education whatever the cost may be.
- Both parties are ignoring climate change issues but for different reasons. One for economic growth and other one thinks climate change is "crap".
- Both believe in small government but have totally different ideas when it comes to what it means. Here is Abbott's views and here is Modi's views.
- Indian cabinet has seven women as Australian cabinet has only one.
- The leader of one party is dynamic, articulate, optimist and has a proven record of working for betterment of people. Other one cannot front people without prepared script, is gaffe prone, negative and has near to no track record of any sort to be leading a nation.
- One leader extends his hand of friendship to his neighbouring countries - even to the bitterest of the foes - other one pulls away and avoids meeting the friendliest of the neighbours and in turn inflames tensions between the nations.
- One is progressive other one is regressive.
- One is against corruption of any sorts and other one looks like is ok with benefiting from soft corruption.
- One is inspirational and other one is a 'grub'.
There might be many more similarities and difference and will update the list as I think of them. Feel free to contribute to the list in the comment section below.
I'm afraid with Abbott government at the helm, Australia as a country will suffer and regress when it comes to fair go and equality.
Even though these are early days in Narendra Modi's government (only sworn in y'day) but based on the track record of Modi and the positive vibe around him, I hope and wish his government will work for betterment of everyone and not just the elite class. सबका साथ, सबका विकास!
Have two nations taken completely different and opposite path? Only time will tell.
Have two nations taken completely different and opposite path? Only time will tell.
Posts
