Who needs the media to win Elections?

Mayawati (Pic from NDTV.com)

Today, history was created when a woman was elected as head of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh with a population of 170 million can easily be in 6th place in the list of countries population wise. It outnumbers major world countries like Russia (141 million), United Kingdom (58 million), France (61.5 million) and even Germany (82.3 million).

She was no Segolene Royal from France who had photo spreads across the world media. Nor did she have the fame of Hilary Clinton. She still remains a virtual unknown amongst the world media. Yet this woman won more than half the seats needed for a majority in a political fray that saw religion and caste factors, like all Indian Elections of late.

Mayawati never spoke to the press and did not have personal press entourages following her daily. She never gave any press statements except for an odd one or two till her victory was assured today. Mayawati held 2 elections rallies a day compared to the 11 organized by her opposition parties. Opposition parties roped in names like Amitabh Bachchan and other famous Bollywood stars and some parties tried using the religious plank to appeal to the voters. However, to no avail the Elephant which is Mayawati mascot stomped over them all.

Mayawati, used a political trick called social engineering which was widely used by the Congress party in its glory days after Independence to emerge from the messy and chaotic muddle of coalition politics for the first time since 1991 as a single party winner. This will be her fourth time as Chief Minister, but the first time without the help of coalition parties.

Appealing directly to the grass root voters using the WOM (word of mouth) method, she dispelled the notion that use of media could be instrumental in winning elections. To win control of a state which is the world's fifth most populated state is no mere feat and not a matter to be brushed away lightly. At present, she may not have an impact on world politics but her feat of uniting voters in India where religion and castes lines are strong dividing factors is to be noted. As India races to be a global force, it is indeed a positive step to see divisive notions of religion, caste, tradition and gender mindsets being dropped to usher in hopefully a new wave of politics which India desperately needs.


Related Articles:
It's Maya jaal all over Uttar Pradesh - Indian Express
End of coalition era in UP as BSP gets majority - Times of India
Mayawati's road to political prominence - NDTV
PM congratulates Mayawati - Times of India
Mayawati bags clear majority- NDTV