The results of the just concluded assembly elections in five states showed how people heralded the message of change into the future by smaller parties and how they disregarded the good or bad of the past of various parties, big or small.

The results brought nothing great for the Congress and the BJP to boast of except for mortification and loss of face on all sides. The pattern of the results in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab clearly indicated that the masses were ready to herald a change, and of course a big one at that.

The congress had to suffer the humiliation as, Rahul Gandhi, the future face of the party, had constantly reminded the people of the UP of their poverty without highlighting on what he would do to alleviate them economically.

BJP on the other hand reminded the people of the forgettable days of the 1990s and tried to cash in on its Hindutva image by allowing the Uma Bharati to lead the campaign along with Rajanath Singh.

This is the main reason for the two parties facing utter humiliation at the hustings and allowing the SP to take over the administrative reins in the state.

Coupled with this, the young leader of the Samajwadi Party Mr Akhilesh Yadav broke away from the past by closing the doors strictly to the unwanted elements like D.P. Yadav. He even overruled the party bigwigs in not allowing such elements back into the party.

Shedding the outlook of a traditional party, Akhilesh sent a clear message to the masses that his party is not averse to bring in latest technology in tune with the changing times by adopting latest technology into the party administration as well as in electioneering.

Unlike the BJP and the Congress, he campaigned stressing on what he would do for the state and promised to bring new industries, jobs and revitalize the state economy.

Similarly, the young Sukhbir Singh Badal in Punjab introduced more transparency in the administration by enacting the much needed Citizens’ Charter even before the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare talked of it. People obviously liked his e-governance initiatives. (J)