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The AP lesson: A CEO cannot be a CM

The most dramatic trends, however, were from Andhra Pradesh where the TDP may face the humiliation of a total rout. The issue was not just one of a separate State for the Telengana region but overall dissatisfaction with the management of the economy by Naidu. Andhra Pradesh was also hit by severe drought and dozens of suicides by farmers were reported. Naidu, author of the big leap forward in science and technology, was obviously misled by media adulation into hoping that computer science, information technology and establishment of well-known international business schools would boost his popularity.

The poll indications are that this may not be so. Naidu was in the position of the Polish freedom fighter and trade unionist, Lech Walesa, who after helping to overthrow Communism tried to leapfrog into a technological modern era which overlooked the problems of his farmers and masses. After just one term in power, Walesa was thrown out of power despite being a media hero of the West. For the multinationals, corporate houses and business magazines, Naidu was the modern leader and they viewed him as a future national leader.

But all Wharton Business Schools and the most sophisticated information technology plus the PR blitz unleashed by the likes of Alyque Padamsee may not save Naidu against the Congress which did not even have a strong and well-known local leader. Such is the power of 'roti, kapada and makan'. The lessons were clear. Poor states like Andhra Pradesh cannot function like corporate houses and its leader had a different role than that of a CEO. The comparison was demeaning and was the handiwork of people, particularly media persons, who did not bother to understand their own nation. If the exit polls came true, they would act as humble, learning experiences for the advocates of the 'feel good' factor.

Read more about various states @ The AP lesson: A CEO cannot be a CM - Sify.com

The top of the pyramid is being patronized very nicely, but the bottom of the pyramid is completely ignored in AP. Agriculture and related sectors are given a hackneyed eye and Naidu is paying for it. Its the people at the bottom of the pyramid that vote and they represent the majority of the population and they should not be ignored. The top of the pyramind for sure helps in taking the society/economy forward, but the bottom of the pyramid cannot be ignored which results in Rich getting super duper rich and poor getting super duper poor.

I wish some magic happens and Naidu comes to power and start working toards enriching the bottom of the pyramid in the next term, b'cos only he has the attitude to make things happen by pushing people arround.