Congratulations to all the newly elected representatives in the four major states. Free and fair elections, genuine competition, clear verdicts and peaceful transfer of power are a tribute to the strength of our democracy. While local factors vary, there are clear signals from voters in all states:
1. People want multiple, authentic leaders who rise from all sections.
not monarchic style and excessive centralisation.
2. Voters want a sensible balance between short-term individual welfare programmes and long-term investment, infrastructure and growth.
3. Reckless, unsustainable, fiscally disastrous policy of unfunded OPS for 3% government employees at the cost of 97% workers is a bankrupt policy not acceptable to voters.
4. There is no real appetite for genuine political reforms - decentralisation, rule of law reform and electoral reforms.
5. Quality education for all children with assured outcomes irrespective of birth, and quality healthcare for all without out-of-pocket expenditure are not yet mainstream agendas.
Our democracy is a work in progress. With a bit of wisdom and foresight we can sustain 7% growth rate for three decades; that is the greatest anti-poverty and social justice measure. People increasingly recognise benefits of inclusive economic growth. If major parties come together on growth and fiscal responsibility, we will have a great future as a country. Meanwhile we need to focus on genuine decentralisation, rule of law and electoral reform to strengthen our democracy.