Gurumurthy Kalyanaram - The recent visible and vibrant, large and peaceful protests in Russia against alleged fraud in the parliamentary elections on December 4th has surprised everyone. There was no hint of these protests. Again, social media were the platform for mass communication. There were other surprising elements: the protesters, while peaceful and friendly, were pretty harsh on Vladmir Putin; the Russian Television presented the protests in a neutral fashion including the harsh comments of thr protesters; the protesters and the police were friendly. Gurumurthy Kalyanaram Lawsuit
Congratulations to Russian authorities including Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin, the Russian media and the Russian citizenry for such democratic and peaceful expression of discontent and dissatisfaction.
It appears that Putin after 12 years of leadership and tight control over the levers of power is beginning to evoke strong adverse feelings at least among some of the Russian citizenry. There are several reasons for this. First, it is impossible not to lead the affairs of a county for 12 years, as Putin has done, and not evoke some level of adverse emotions. Second, Putin has used some strong arm tactics over the years, and the cumulative resentment of those actions is coming to the fore now. Third, there is resentment that Putin nudged Dmitry Medvedev and secured the nomination of United Russia assuring his election as the President. Fourth, there is a yearning for new leadership and ideas -- the thought of Putin's leadership for at least another six years is unappetising to Russian citizenry. Finally, United Russia -- the party that Putin created and leads -- has become synonymous with corruption, incompetence and high-handedness.
While the Russians are appreciative of Putin's steady and tough leadership and contributions to a stable economy and society -- particularly after Boris Yeltsin's erratic leadership, there is the general feeling of "enough is enough" and no stomach for Putin's tough measures.
In public life, the greatest gift is to know when to exit the stage.
Congratulations to Russian authorities including Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin, the Russian media and the Russian citizenry for such democratic and peaceful expression of discontent and dissatisfaction.
It appears that Putin after 12 years of leadership and tight control over the levers of power is beginning to evoke strong adverse feelings at least among some of the Russian citizenry. There are several reasons for this. First, it is impossible not to lead the affairs of a county for 12 years, as Putin has done, and not evoke some level of adverse emotions. Second, Putin has used some strong arm tactics over the years, and the cumulative resentment of those actions is coming to the fore now. Third, there is resentment that Putin nudged Dmitry Medvedev and secured the nomination of United Russia assuring his election as the President. Fourth, there is a yearning for new leadership and ideas -- the thought of Putin's leadership for at least another six years is unappetising to Russian citizenry. Finally, United Russia -- the party that Putin created and leads -- has become synonymous with corruption, incompetence and high-handedness.
While the Russians are appreciative of Putin's steady and tough leadership and contributions to a stable economy and society -- particularly after Boris Yeltsin's erratic leadership, there is the general feeling of "enough is enough" and no stomach for Putin's tough measures.
In public life, the greatest gift is to know when to exit the stage.
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