mn_op;233477Thanks.
I think contesting corporator level election is always a good idea. This gets you some experience of how to talk to people and you can relax as you know what to talk to your neighbors.
However, the bigegst advantage is that it gets you 20 people who will do anything for you. When you want to contest MLA level elections, you need at least 20 people who will support you whole heartedly...there is no politician without these 20 initial supporters who will applaud you no matter what and trust you and your abilities fully.
Gentlemen, if you want to enter politics, try finding your first set of volunteers. It is not easy. Even the seemingly dedicated guy may be trying to fool you. Politics is not for the faint hearted and not for people who mull over past mistakes.
I wanted to revive this thread, after a long gap, to see if there is still interest.
Somehow I missed mn_op's above quoted post. I think he is very right about getting the first 20 people.
For an outsider (with not enough money to buy votes) aspiring to joining Politics, dollops of talent is IMHO a very important requirement. One should be aware of tonnes of local/national/international issues and should be able to speak in a language that people at ground can understand. Developing orating/writing skills about relevant issues, in the early days is a basic requirement. This is what can separate you from the MABF & MBBS types.
Also, one should have the capability to use any situation to one's advantage. Its like a chess game. Someone who can create an opportunity while being attacked by opponents is I think the horse for the long race. Like the case about the female politician that Lakshya mentioned about, I think that was a huge opportunity to come in limelight, but it seems like she missed it by backing down. (Lakshya if there is any update to that story, please make us aware).
Overall, for a decent, educated person, entering politics is still a very risky proposition. No one will give you an opportunity. You will have to snatch an opportunity. And if you are not good at snatching what you truly believe in, then Indian politics is not for you. Another point is about grooming your future constituents, i.e. the young of today. With each progressing day, reaching vast number of educated and young people is getting easier and easier. They may not vote today, but they will use these networks in future. And when that day of limelight arrives (assuming that you have snatched that first opportunity), there will be a rush of people to know more about you. IF you don't have a social presence, then you may quickly miss out on the next step in the ladder... So I think it is important to be always prepared for THAT moment.