Why I will not Vote for Nandan Nilekani

Recently the National dailies were circulating a piece about the speculation of a stalwart from Information Technology, Mr. Nandan Nilekani, likely to contest in upcoming General Elections from South Bangalore seat. I being a resident and a registered voter of South Bangalore constituency chose to share my views on this new development.

The news seems to be great for the hope it might incur in a voter’s mind. It might seem to be the beginning of entry of urban educated middle class in politics. Interestingly, some have even gone as far to claim it to be a stepping stone to clean the Politics. But is it really so? I feel it is good that a person like Mr. Nilekani is entering politics. We need more like him. But by contesting elections from the side of a party ruled by dynasty he will end up diminishing the same values that he represents and have been a driving force for him on his journey from a normal middle-class boy to the legendry icon he is today. Wondering how?

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“Values are supposed to define who you are” writes the legendary Jennifer Crusie in one of her books. So what does Mr. Nilekani’s values define about him? He rose up from being a normal techie in a software company in Bangalore to being one of the founding fathers of an IT giant INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES, which is acclaimed for putting India on the world stage in the field of IT. No doubts that he did it with his sheer hard-work, intelligence and the right attitude of building up an organization brick by brick with right people at the right place.

So then why will I not vote for Mr. Nandan Nilekani? It is because Mr. Nilekani, if decides to contest elections from Congress ticket, will end up adding fuel to fire to a dangerous trend of sycophancy that is preying on some of the best and well-educated intelligent minds of our country. An example of this disease engulfing our people was seen recently when Mr. Manmohan Singh - Prime Minister & ex-Finance Minister of second most populous country in the world, a University of Cambridge and University of Oxford graduate – praised a young member of Gandhi dynasty – who does not have any proven record of administration and even education – and even went as far to issue a certificate of eligibility to him for the post of PM (Read Here).

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Seeing such educated minds letting themselves fall in the category of renowned sycophants as Khurshids and Digvijays (ironically they too are educated men) evokes a feeling of astonishment, shame and pity at the same time. One wonders what force or need is so strong that makes them shower such high praises and worship a person who has not shown any ability for even oratory let alone administration. One is compelled to think usefulness of such high education, numerous degrees & accolades from across the globe if such people are ready to sacrifice Nation’s interest by willing to give its baton in the hands of an inexperienced and undeserving man just because he has taken birth in a renowned dynasty family.

This is where I see Mr. Nilekani on the verge of falling. A corporate company, like the one he created, works on strict rules and policy of having the right talent and experience at the right designation within the organization. Young minds work hard, learn and rise up the ladder in Corporate world, of which Mr. Nilekani is an Icon for innumerable youths in this country. It would be a shame seeing Mr Nilekani – a person who instilled the value of hard work and ability in the organization he founded - praising the likes of Rahul Gandhi without any proof of their knowledge and experience in the field of administration. I wonder if he would have done something like this when he was in the process of cultivating values in INFOSYS.

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I am an IT engineer myself and have seen Mr. Murthy and Mr. Nilekani with lot of respect all my years in this field (Read Here). How in the world can Mr. Nilekani explain turning into a sycophant after coming from a field that does not promote dynasty culture? How on earth can he clarify his turning into an advocate of inexperience and inability when in his own company he nurtures a culture of hard work, talent growth and accountability?

For those who think that this might be the right step and he would initiate the cleansing of politics that we desire my reply is simple. In Congress party whosoever has not bowed his or her head in front of the family has been thrown out or has been reduced to nothing better than non-existent. Thus, cleansing and sycophancy can never go hand in hand. One of them has to be given up and it won’t be sycophancy in case of Congress.

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Anyways, there is still a lot of time left in General Elections. If, in the meanwhile, Mr. Nilekani decides to change sides and switch to any cadre based parties like AAP, BJP etc. then he might change my choice for Vote because then he will represent the same values that we all hail him for. I hope that happens for the good of the Nation.

Otherwise, if the start of a politician’s career is marked by discarding all the values that he has till now lived for and has preached all his life then I am not sure how much normal voters might be able to trust him for their future.

Go Travel Forever! Socially Distanced Travel Motivation!

“If we keep treating our most important values as meaningless relics, that's exactly what they'll become”

Thanks,

Prateek

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