I recollect a football match I saw when I was a 7th Class Student (1971). The match was played between Mohun Bagan and Leader’s Club in the Durand Tournament at the Delhi Gate Stadium which now stands renamed as Ambedkar Stadium. Mohun Bagan was a formidable team. It had won all the National Level Club Tournaments and Leagues. Leader’s Club had got footballers but it was not a Champion Team. Mohun Bagan dominated the game very effectively having more than 60% ball possession in the first half. Half Time Score 0-0. In the second half Mohun Bagan dominated again. 10 minutes from the Final Whistle suddenly both teams became very aggressive and restless for getting a goal. Just at this time, the Mohun Bagan Coach felt that he needed some old stars instead of the young ones that have been dominating the game till then. So he replaced two players. One half-back and one forward. Both these were experienced and old footballers. They had a long past in architecting many a win for the Club. Since they had only 10 minutes to show their skill they found it wise to keep the ball to themselves instead of distributing it sharply to foil the defensive attempts of the Leader’s Club. The result was that suddenly the Leader’s club players sensed an opportunity and attacked these two stalwarts with 3 against 1 checking. Every time the forward wanted to run with the ball, he was thwarted. Leader’s Club was sure that these stalwarts would not trust the younger teammates and pass the ball to them. Invariably, the stalwarts lost the ball before even reaching a striking range. From one of these tackles the Leader’s club left half back got the ball and pushed it to the centre forward. Everybody looked on and in a trice there was a goal scored. Now, the time left was 30 seconds. Mohun Bagan lost the match despite being a better team.
Election is also a team game. Here, the morale of every player and support staff is important to be able to win. Team spirit, timing, plan, agility, speed, force, fitness and above all selflessness are all key elements for winning election as well as football games.
BJP has been in the game from mid-2013 and nicely set up the match till about a month back. Then all the problems started. The plan for Candidates to be fielded needed to be done even before the declaration of the Election. All the difference of opinion about seat distribution could have been amicably sorted out. By allowing the selection process to be delayed so long, the Team Management has allowed itself to be put at a gunpoint. The chances of a wrong decision under such duress is very high. So much of noise at a time when the first date of Polling is only 20 days away can only increase the pressure. There is also a feeling that the Team Management not sure about what it is doing. An Architect of Many Wins may not be needed to display his skills on the ground. It would help more if he assists the Coach in identifying the right moves and right resources.
Internal dissent can become a bigger problem if the Referee of the Match is not exactly a saint. The Press Box would like to see you lose the Match. Your Captain is a strong player but a straightforward and not given to socialise with the Press off the Field. The only thing in favour is the huge crowd of spectators who are yelling at the Top of Their Voice asking you not to commit the errors. Eventually, the game is as much for the spectator as for the player. When the Team Loses, much more is Lost than just the Match.
Therefore, a few things need to be done. Swift actions without trying to appear to be soft. Finalize the List of Candidates without any further delay. Control the damage being done by the dissidence of Elders. Control the workers and ask them to focus on campaigning rather than expressing doubts about the candidates.
Bring out the UPA Charge sheet at the earliest and turn the discussion towards the real Issues through this document. Make the Media discuss the Charge sheet rather than Why the Captain should be a candidate from two locations. Following the Charge sheet, quickly bring out the Manifesto. The People who would Vote on 7th April and 9th April need time to read BJP Manifesto and understand it. If BJP is the first to bring the Manifesto then Congress Manifesto would be read in reference to BJP’s manifesto. Do not allow any other party to approach the Voters with a Manifesto before BJP. Please do also remember that all your Voters are not going to read the Manifesto on Internet. There would be a considerable time and effort required to make it reach the last mile where your real Voter resides.
Considering the lead that BJP has taken in the campaign so far, please do not lose the edge merely to pacify some voices within the party. If there have been errors and spectators are crying hoarse about it then better correct it now. It would not make any body looks small. And if any one happens to consider oneself higher than the National Interest and Party Interest, sacrifice them but do that without delay.
The anguish in these words is the anguish of a Nationalist just like the anguish of a football fan.
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BJP feels that Modi waving hand in rallies will get it seats. Where’s the manifesto? Still not out. Poor strategy.
Absolutely!
They are going crazy at the last mile. .. Just heard they took in Ram Sena leader #facepalm
Excellent post……I agree…….
Much needed post. Hope some leaders read it..Though BJP will for sure but why leave unnecessary glitches here & there like it did in recent Delhi elections & fell short by just 4 seats.
If BJP would have been little more vigilant in Delhi , it would have won at least 8-10 seats more among 20 old seats it lost by margin.
Put all efforts & remember Sunil Gavaskar’s work he uttered after famous Oval Match “Don’t leave work to finish for others till you can do yourself. I took it little lightly after making 222 & paid the price”