We don’t have a political party as yet – because of legislation banning liberals

Opportunity Knocks for Indian Liberals - Twice
from ANTIDOTE by Sauvik New Delhi: June 13, 2008: 1000hrs

There are two interesting lead editorials in the papers today. The Times of India says that urbanization is going to be a poll issue. The Indian Express says something deeper: that monetary policy is going to be a poll issue.

Both editorials should be carefully read by all the liberals of India, for it is we who have been talking for long about our urban vision, and about sound money. Of course, we don’t have a political party as yet – because of legislation banning liberals from participating in the political process, which remains a "socialist" monopoly. Not that parties like the BJP or the Shiv Sena are "socialist" in any meaningful way.

But these limitations should not stop us from campaigning. If urbanization is what the people are demanding, and if the number of urban constituencies is rising (as the ToI edit says) – we can support independents in cities and towns. Similarly, if inflationism is a poll issue (as the Express edit says), then we must highlight the importance of sound money to the really poor: the fact that inflation results in a redistribution of real wealth from the poor to the State (and its hangers-on). Looks like Time is on our side.