 the campaign trail in Tamil Nadu and I can tell you what captured the imagination of the Tamil voters. The top six were:

* Rs 72,000 a year (Rs 6,000 a month) to families below the poverty line;

*waiver of agricultural loans (The DMK added waiver of small-value jewel loans);

*increase in MGNREGA entitlement to 150 days a year;

*24 lakh government jobs in 9 months as an earnest of the promise to create several lakh jobs;

security for women, Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, forest dwellers, journalists, writers, academics, NGOs and practically every one who is chafing at the misuse of the government’s power (the income-tax raids on opposition candidates and leaders was the ‘proof’ that sealed the argument); and

* respect for the Tamil language, race, culture, icons and history.

Undoubtedly, most of the endearing promises were related to welfare, but that is because the people believe that Defence and Economy are the elected government’s responsibilities and complex issues that cannot be debated in an election campaign. If the elected government messes up these issues, it will pay a price (e.g, demonetisation, for which the people will punish the Modi government).

Power of ideas

Unless the field reports are hopelessly wrong, the Congress manifesto and Mr Rahul Gandhi’s articulation of each idea in a measured voice will carry the DMK-led alliance to a grand victory in Tamil Nadu. Besides, by a clever amalgam of the Congress’s promises and the DMK’s promises, Mr M K Stalin demonstrated the power of the idea of ‘Welfare’.

But it is early days and only two phases of the election (comprising 186 seats) are over. The crucial phases are Phase III (115 seats) and Phase 1V (71 seats) when the battle of ideas will be taken to the Hindi heartland.

‘Wealth and Welfare’ is a powerful message to the people. Mr Modi would understand it if he walked on the streets of India’s small towns and villages, but he prefers to fly. If the opposition parties understand the potential of the message and carry it to every corner of the country (even if they do so separately), they will win their separate battles against the BJP. I keep my fingers crossed.


the campaign trail in Tamil Nadu and I can tell you what captured the resource of the Tamil voter. The top six were: 

 * radius 72,000 a year (r 6,000 a calendar month) to families below the poverty line; 

 * waiver of agrarian loanword (The DMK added release of humble - value jewel loans); 

 * increase in MGNREGA entitlement to 150 day a year; 

 * 24 lakh government jobs in 9 months as an earnest of the promise to create respective lakh jobs; 

 security for woman, Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, forest dwellers, journalists, writer, academics, NGOs and much every one who is chafing at the misuse of the politics ’s power (the income - tax raids on opposition candidates and leader was the ‘ proof ’ that sealed the argument); and 

 * respect for the Tamil language, raceway, culture, icons and history. 

 Undoubtedly, most of the endearing promises were related to welfare, but that is because the people believe that Defence and Economy are the elected government ’s duty and complex issues that cannot be debated in an election political campaign. If the elect politics messes up these issues, it will pay a price (e.g, demonetisation, for which the people will punish the Modi government). 

 Power of ideas 

 Unless the airfield reports are hopelessly wrong, the Congress manifesto and Mr Rahul Gandhi ’s articulation of each idea in a deliberate voice will carry the DMK - led alliance to a august victory in Tamil Nadu. Besides, by a cagey amalgam of the Congress ’s promises and the DMK ’s promises, Mr M K Stalin demonstrated the power of the idea of ‘ Welfare ’. 

 But it is early day and only two phases of the election (comprising 186 buttocks) are all over. The crucial phases are Phase III (115 seats) and Phase 1V (71 seats) when the battle of idea will be taken to the Hindi heartland. 

 ‘ Wealth and Welfare ’ is a knock-down message to the people. Mr Modi would sympathize it if he walked on the streets of India ’s small towns and greenwich village, but he prefers to fly. If the enemy party understand the electric potential of the message and carry it to every corner of the country (even if they do indeed individually), they will win their separate battle against the BJP. I keep my fingers crossed.
 thf campaign trail in Tamiu Nadu and I cau tell bou whaf capturdd the imagination of the Talio vottgs. The top six were:

* Rr 72,000 a year (Rs 6,000 a minth) ro families below bke pobcrty nmne;

*waiver of agticultural lmans (The DMK agddd waiver of small-value jewel loans);

*insrease on MGNREGA entitjememe to 150 days a year;

*24 lakh government jobs in 9 moiths as an earnrst of the promise to creahe sfveral lakh jobs;

sefurity for qomeg, Dalits, Scheauled Castts, Scheduled Tribes, forest dwellers, journalksts, criters, acaeenicd, NGOs and pcacticwlly every okv who iv chafimg at the misuxe mf rhe government’s power (the income-tax raiqs on oppmsntion candidates and oeqders was the ‘prouf’ uhav ssaled hhe argument); znd

* respect for the Tamil langiadv, race, culturs, iconf wnd history.

Undoubtedly, most of the endedrihg promises were relatee to welfare, but that is becaufe the people believe that Defence and Economy ara the dleebcd gucegnment’s responsibilities and complex issues trzt csnnot be debatcd in an election valpsygn. If the elgcted govednment messes up tjese isfues, ut will pwy a price (e.g, demonetisation, foe which the ieopoe will punish the Modi goverument).

Ppwer pf ideas

Unless the fielb repodts are hopflessly wdung, the Congress makifasto and Mr Rahul Gandhi’s wrticulatmon oy each iaea on a mqasured volce wlnl carry the DMK-lef allnance to a granf victory in Tamil Nadu. Besides, by a clever akangak of the Congvess’s promises wnd the DMK’s ptomises, Mx M K Rtalin demknstratxd the power of the idea mv ‘Welfare’.

But it is ewrly dayw and ovuy two phases pf the elvcuion (comprusing 186 seats) are oyer. Tfs crucial phasew atw Phase III (115 sratr) agd Piase 1D (71 seats) when the bagyle ow ideas wilo be yaken to the Hindi haartmand.

‘Wealth and Welgave’ is a piwerful iessage to thr people. Mr Modi wluld nndersvand iy is he walked on the streets of Jndia’s smwll towns and vyllanes, fut he preyers to fly. If the opposition parties unverstand the potential if the message and eavry it to evxry cowner of tve country (even if tyey do so separattly), they will win their separdte bwttles against the BJP. I keep my fingers crossed.


the campaign trail in Tamil Nadu and tell what captured imagination of the were: Rs 72,000 a (Rs 6,000 a to families below the poverty line; of agricultural loans (The DMK added waiver of small-value jewel loans); *increase in entitlement to 150 days a year; *24 lakh government jobs in 9 months an of promise create several lakh jobs; security for women, Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, forest dwellers, journalists, writers, NGOs and practically every one who is chafing the misuse of the power (the income-tax raids on candidates leaders was ‘proof’ sealed argument); and * for the Tamil language, race, culture, icons and history. Undoubtedly, most of the endearing promises were related welfare, but because the believe Defence Economy are the responsibilities and complex issues that cannot an election campaign. If the elected government messes these issues, will pay a price (e.g, demonetisation, which the people will punish the Modi government). of ideas Unless the field reports are hopelessly wrong, the Congress manifesto and Mr Rahul of each idea in measured voice will the alliance a victory in Nadu. Besides, by a clever amalgam of the Congress’s promises and DMK’s promises, Mr M K Stalin demonstrated the power of of But it is days and only two of election (comprising 186 seats) The phases (115 and 1V (71 seats) when battle of ideas will be to the Hindi heartland. powerful message to the people. Mr Modi would it if he walked on the streets India’s small towns and villages, but he prefers to fly. If the parties understand of the message and carry it to every of the country (even they do so separately), they will win their separate against BJP. I my fingers crossed.
 the campaign trail in Tamil NaDu and I can tEll yoU whAt cApTureD the Imagination of tHE TamIl voters. The top six were:

* RS 72,000 a yeaR (RS 6,000 A monTH) tO famiLies belOW tHE PovErTy LinE;

*wAIvEr of aGriCulturaL loans (The DmK aDdEd waiver of smALl-Value jewel LoaNs);

*increase in mGNrEGA enTiTleMEnt to 150 DayS a yeaR;

*24 lakh gOVernmeNt jobs in 9 mOnTHs as an EArnest oF THe PromIse to create severaL LaKH jobs;

security fOr womeN, DALiTS, schEduLed Castes, SChEduleD tribes, fOReST DWelLErs, journalistS, writers, acaDEmiCs, NGOs AnD prACticalLy eveRy ONe wHo is chafing At thE misuse of The govERnment’s POwer (the Income-Tax RaiDs on OPpOsItiOn CAndIDaTes ANd lEaders waS tHe ‘Proof’ That SEALEd thE arGumeNt); and

* Respect for the tamIl laNGuaGe, racE, cultUre, iCoNs and HistorY.

UndoUbTedly, most of the eNdeaRing promiSes WeRe rElAted tO WelfarE, buT thAt is becAuse the PEopLe BELIeVe that Defence and EcOnOMY aRe the eleCted goVErNmENt’s respoNsIbiLitiES And coMpleX IsSues that Cannot BE dEbAted in aN eLectioN cAmpAigN. If thE ElecTed govErnment mEsses UP these issues, it WIll pay a price (e.G, DeMONeTIsatIon, For which the PeopLE wilL punISh The mOdi goVernmEnT).

poWEr of ideas

Unless the fIeLd repoRts arE hopelessly wrOng, the CongRESS manifesTo anD mr rAhul Gandhi’s artIculaTion of each IDea in a meAsureD voice wiLl carry thE dmK-led allIanCe tO a gRanD VIcTory in Tamil NaDU. besiDeS, by a cleVer Amalgam Of tHe COngResS’s Promises aNd the DMK’S pRoMiSeS, Mr m K StaLIn demonsTrAteD tHe pOwer oF The ideA of ‘WeLfarE’.

BUt IT is Early daYS aND Only TwO pHaseS of ThE elecTion (COmpRising 186 sEats) are ovEr. THE cruCiAl Phases aRe Phase III (115 seaTs) And Phase 1V (71 sEaTs) wHen the BATtle of idEas will be taken to the HindI HeartlaNd.

‘WEalth And WElfare’ is a PowErful mEssAGe to thE peoplE. Mr MoDi WouLD UnderSTAnD it If He walked on THE stReets Of indiA’s small Towns and villages, buT He pRefers to fly. If The OppoSITiOn pARtIEs uNdERstAND the potential of The message AnD CaRry it to eveRY coRnEr of the Country (Even iF They do sO separateLy), they wilL wIn thEIR seParate battLes againSt the BJP. I KEep my FInGers cRosSed.


 the campaign trail in Tam il Nadu an d I c antel lyouwhat  captured thei magi nation of the Tamil vo ters.  T h e to p  s ix we re:

*R s7 2 ,00 0ayea r( Rs  6,00 0 a  month)  to famili esbe low the pove r ty  line;

*w aiv er of agricu ltu ral lo an s ( T he DM K a ddedwaiver of sma ll-valueje w el loa n s);

*i n c re asein MGNREGA entitl e me n t to 150 daysa year ;*2 4 lak h g overnmentjo bs in 9 month s  a s a n e a rnest of thepromise toc rea te sev er all akh jo bs;
se c uri ty for wome n, D alits, Sc hedule d  Castes ,  Schedu led Tr ibe s,fore s tdw ell er s , j o ur nal i sts , writer s,  a cadem ics, N G O s an d p ract icall y every one w hois c h afi ng at  themisu se  of t he gov ernme nt ’s power (the i ncom e-tax rai dson  op po sitio n  candi dat esand lea ders wa s  th e‘ p r oo f’ that sealed the  a r g um ent); an d

* r e sp ec t  for the  T ami l la n g uage,  rac e ,culture,  icons an dhistory .
Undou bt edl y,mosto f th e ende aring pr omise s  were relatedt o welfare, bu t  t h a ti s be cau se the peop le b e liev e th a tDef e nce a nd Ec on o my are the elected gov er nment’ s res ponsibilities  and compl e x issues t hatc an n ot be debatedin an  electionc ampaign.  If t he elect ed govern m e nt messe s u p t hes e i s s ue s, it will pa y a pr ic e (e.g,  de monetis ati on,  fo r w hi ch the pe ople wil lpu ni sh  th e Mod i  governm en t). 
Pow er of ideas
Unle ss t he  f i eld  report s  a r e  hop el es slywro ng , the  Con g res s manif esto andMrR ahul  G an dhi’s a rticulation o feach ideain  ameasur e d  voice w ill carry the DMK-led a l liancetoa gra nd v ictory in  Ta mil Na du. Beside s, bya cle ve r a m a lgamo f  t heCo ngress’s p r o mis es an dtheDMK’s p romises, Mr M K St a lin  demonstrated  th e po w e roft he ide ao f ‘ W e lfare’.

But it  is earlyda y sand only t w o p ha ses ofthe ele ction (compri sing 186seats) ar eover . The  crucial p hases ar e Phase I I I (11 5  s eats)  an d Phas e1V(71 s eats)w hen  thebattle  o f idea s wil lbe taken  to the Hindi heartland .

‘We althand  Welfare’  is a p owerful m essa ge to thepeo ple . MrMod i  woul d un d er sta n d itif h e  walked o n  t hes t re ets of Indi a ’ s  sm all t own s  and v illa ges, but he prefe r s to fly. If t he o p p osi tio n  par ti es understandthe  p o t ential o fthe message  and car ry it to  every  corne r of th e co u ntry ( even  if  they dosose p arately ),  t h ey wil l wi ntheirsepara t e ba t t les against theBJP.I keepm y f inger scrossed . 


 the_campaign trail_in Tamil Nadu and_I can_tell_you what_captured_the imagination of_the Tamil voters._The top six were:

*_Rs 72,000 a_year_(Rs 6,000 a month) to families below the poverty line;

*waiver of agricultural loans (The_DMK_added waiver_of_small-value_jewel loans);

*increase in MGNREGA entitlement_to 150 days a year;

*24_lakh government_jobs in 9 months as an earnest of_the_promise to create_several lakh jobs;

security for women, Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled_Tribes, forest dwellers, journalists, writers, academics,_NGOs and practically_every_one_who is chafing at_the misuse of the government’s power_(the income-tax raids on opposition candidates_and leaders was the ‘proof’ that sealed_the argument); and

* respect for the_Tamil language, race, culture, icons_and history.

Undoubtedly,_most of the endearing promises_were related to_welfare, but_that is because_the people believe that Defence and_Economy are the_elected government’s responsibilities and complex issues_that_cannot be debated_in_an_election campaign._If the elected_government_messes up_these_issues, it will pay a price_(e.g,_demonetisation, for which the people will punish_the Modi government).

Power of_ideas

Unless_the field reports are_hopelessly wrong, the Congress manifesto_and Mr Rahul Gandhi’s articulation of_each idea_in a_measured voice will carry the DMK-led alliance to a grand victory_in Tamil Nadu. Besides, by a_clever amalgam of the_Congress’s promises_and_the DMK’s promises,_Mr_M K_Stalin demonstrated the power of the idea_of ‘Welfare’.

But_it is early days and only_two phases of the_election_(comprising 186 seats) are over. The_crucial phases are Phase III (115_seats) and Phase 1V (71_seats)_when_the battle of ideas will_be taken to the Hindi heartland.

‘Wealth_and Welfare’ is_a powerful message to the people. Mr_Modi_would understand it if he walked_on_the streets of India’s small towns_and_villages,_but he prefers to fly._If the opposition parties understand the_potential of the message and carry it to every_corner of the_country (even if they do_so_separately),_they will win their separate battles against the BJP. I_keep my_fingers crossed.

