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Inclement Weather Vocab In News 3 Feb 2012

Ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine faces anti-incumbency in Punjab 


As Punjab heads into assembly polls next Monday,the Congress could have an edge as the ruling Akali Dal-BJP coalition grapples with a serious anti-incumbency mood in the state.Several factors have contributed to the changed political scenario.To begin with,electoral equations that had brought the ruling coalition to power in 2007 have altered since. Of the many anxieties plaguing the ruling coalition, primary has been the damage potential of former finance minister and rebel Manpreet Badals fledgling Peoples Party of Punjab.
Adding to worries is the precarious state of the BJP, racked by corruption charges and rabid factionalism.The BJP had done exceptionally well among Hindu voters in the Malwa region during the last polls.That's a feat its unlikely to repeat this time. Hoping to cash in on the party's waning popularity,the Congress is aiming to garner Hindu votes.Sensing inclement poll weather the Akali Dal too has fielded a dozen Hindu candidates,alongside the party's traditional Sikh nominees.

With poll fever escalating,the ruling Akali Dal is trying to woo disenchanted voters with a slew of populist freebies.Failing to deliver on its last-poll assurances,the Akali Dal has now come up with fresh pledges such as providing free laptops,surplus electricity,etc.But the question is: Given Punjab's grim fiscal situation,do the state coffers have enough to fulfill these promises Once synonymous with prosperity in India,Punjab is now grappling with agricultural stagnation and sluggish growth overall.The governments lavish policy of distribution of freebies like free water and electricity to farmers,leading to an overutilisation of natural resources and a reduction in the groundwater table,has hardly helped.
If political parties wish to resuscitate Punjab,they must address real challenges.Its good that airy promises can no longer fool the electorate,wiser from past experience.The peoples pre-poll discourse on development conveys their tangible aspirations.Voters are now demanding strict enforcement of the Right to Services Law,entitling them to proper service delivery,in addition to governance reforms,proper education,regular electricity and water supply. Punjab's political players need to reorient their campaign and governance model,abandon dole-based patronage and restore the states former economic glory.


Courtesy: The Times of India editorial
Vocabulary

Inclement Weather:  bad weather or harsh weather
Anti-incumbency: When people vote against elected officials in power. It allows them to show their discontent.
 Grapple with something: to try hard to find a solution to a problem
The new government has yet to grapple with the problem of air pollution
Plague somebody/something (with something): to trouble
to be plagued by doubt
Financial problems are plaguing the company.
Fledgling: new and inexperienced.  The word fledgling also means a young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
Synonym: Callow, Neophyte
Precarious risky
Rabid :Marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
Synonym: Fanatic
Factionalism: conflict between subgroups
Waning:  gradually decreasing
Garner: gather
Escalating: Increase in extent or intensity, intensify
Freebies: Something that is free (usually provided as part of a promotional scheme)
The cap is a freebie
Disenchanted: not believing something is good or worth doing.
Synonym: disillusioned
Coffers: treasure of the state government
Grim situation: unpleasant and depressing
Lavish: very generous (in the current context)
Resuscitate: bring back to life; primary meaning: cause to regain consciousness
Airy:  impractical
Tangible:  capable of being treated as fact
Dole based patronage:   to give out an amount of food, money, etc. to a number of people in a group to mark one’s superiority

©Vineet Ramananda, SLS Educare Services Feb 2012

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