Elections 2009: A Unique Experience — Part 1: The Decision

As the election process makes its way to the finish line, I decided that this would be a good time to look back at the past couple months. I am seeing this election much closer than ever before. In the late 1990s, when I was running IndiaWorld, I was involved in covering the elections on the Internet. This time around, I have been reading a lot more about what’s happening and also participating in various events through the “Friends of BJP” movement that I started with a few others.

When I look back, in Jaunary, I assumed that all I would do this election was to go and vote. Little did I realise then that I would become a far more active participant – part of a small, growing group in “Middle India” who wants to engage with politics because silence is not the answer. I made the decision then to support the BJP – and outlined my reasons in a blog post.

Thus was born “Friends of BJP.” When we started, we had no idea how we would manage to grow it. But there was a deep desire amongst us to be able to take the first steps to making a difference. We all had different motivations, but were united with the belief that “India Deserves Better.”

Tomorrow: Friends’ Progress

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Rajesh Jain

An Entrepreneur based in Mumbai, India.