Brothers in Arms 

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India on Wednesday organised a discussion with young Parliamentarians on their “Vision of India”. The much-touted phrase in ruling circles,the concern for ‘aam aadmi’,seemed to figure high on the agenda: each speaker harped more on prosperity trickling down than on GDP growth.

“Voters have rejected divisive politics and given a thumbs up to development,” said Deepender Hooda,31,an MP from Rohtak. “People no longer want ‘India Shining’,with only a few enjoying the riches. They are looking at ‘Bharat Nirman’,where progress reaches the smallest village.”

Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal,39,said,“Voters mistrust politicians — that’s why all these incidents of train-burning and buses being vandalised occur. We need to develop a healthy relationship (with the electorate).”