Dance of Democracy (Nacho voter Nacho!!!)

The dance of democracy (read elections) is on in India. For anyone, who expected an elegant, flawless and polished performance, it has been quite unlike. The dance seems more like a ‘chameeya nach’, than coming from the largest democracy in the world.

Our so-called leaders have been going all out and leaving no stones unturned to expose the most frivolous parts of other candidate’s lives. Only thing we hear is about how much of black money each one has in their numbered accounts, how many cases are pending against each of them or how many of them have utilized public finances for their own selfish motives. These accusations are being thrown by leaders of the country against each other. Each of them have a dark background, but they forget about their own backyard and start hurling at others. Whatever happened to the good old saying of “people who have glass houses do not throw stones at others”.

As in my previous blogs, as a citizen of India, I again emphasise that I want to exercise my franchise. What are the options I have? UPA, NDA or Left Parties. I have no trust in the UPA (read congress) which has been ruling the country for 95% of the time, since independence. I do not have faith in the ‘Hindutva’ policy of BJP, as it defeats the whole idea of secularism. Religion has nothing to with politics, so let us leave it alone. The Left parties are best left alone. But as the Hindi proverb “andhon mein kana raja hota hai”, I decide to vote for a well qualified, experienced and dynamic BSP candidate, who is standing from my constituency (just an example). He promises to do a lot for the constituency and the nation. So I stand under the blazing sun, to exercise my vote. I walk out of the polling booth, showing my first finger with a blue mark to everyone (read news channels), as a sign that I voted (from far such actions could be misleading. Am sure you all understood).

The results are out and my BSP candidate has won the election. Now moving up the party hierarchy, Maya didi (calling her anything else is offensive, proof – Sanjay Dutt) decides that BSP, along with SP, RJD, TDP etc etc. should form the third front and stake a claim to form the government. All of sudden and overnight, a brainwave strikes through the political circles and I read in the next morning’s papers that Maya didi and BSP, for some god forsaken reason, have decided to support the Congress to form a government at the centre. Manmohan Singh is the Prime Minister. I do not even know, if the candidate I voted for was privy to all this. Now what is the value of my vote? What change did I bring by casting my vote? What difference have I made? In the end, I did not get the government of my choice. I did not get the leader or even the party of my choice. I will again land up in the same situation, where I will see my leaders either after 5 years (these days there is more risk and could be sooner) or only on the idiot box. This is what’s been happening for 62 years to the common man in India, the actual vote bank. Ever wondered why these so called leaders call us the vote bank? This is the only bank which will not be affected by the recession. In our country, the number of voters will always increase. If not, they have the money to buy rice or TV’s to increase the vote bank. Truly money speaks honey !!!!!

Now a certain section of our leaders want to make voting compulsory. By all means, go ahead and do so, but on certain caveats as below:

1. Please make sure my name appears on the voters list? There have been instances when people have voter’s ID cards but their names are missing from the voters list.
2. Many people do not live in the constituencies, where they are eligible to vote. Please make arrangements for them to travel to their respective constituency to vote. (Will my boss count it as leave?)
3. A suggestion would be to issue voter’s ID cards to all eligible voters and enable them vote from where they are. After all we are all in India and have the right to choose a Prime Minister, irrespective of where we stay in India.
4. Enable proxy voting for eligible voters residing outside the country, who you think about only for remittances.
5 MOST IMPORTANT – Give us leaders who deserve our vote. Give us leaders who are willing to work for the well being of the country. Give us leaders who are clean in thoughts and actions. Give us leaders who do not play the caste card. Give us leaders who understand what secularism truly means. Give us leaders who use public money for public welfare. Give us leaders who will not tell me what to wear and whether I should be going to a pub. Above all give us leaders who have the time to listen to the people who make them leaders.

Some of the above points might be an aspiration and far from reality. Let us take a middle path. We, as the voting public in India will sacrifice (like always) points 2, 3 and 4 as mentioned above and you agree only to point number five. Point number 1 is something you introduced. So please decide how you want to deal with it. We did not have voter ID cards since 1947, from the time common man in India has been voting.

And now make voting compulsory. There are more chances of the sun rising out of the west, someday, than what has been stated above?

I always believe that a candidate, who stands for election should understand the problems faced by people living in that constituency. This is a far cry from what happens. Else how can we explain the reason for a ex-Telegu and bollywood actress standing from a constituency in UP or a person who has lived all his life in South Mumbai standing from a completely opposite location? Just as example, the candidate who has stayed all his life in South Mumbai might think he will give a generator to each home in North Mumbai to secure votes (TV is outdated now). The first thing he will get back is a statement “bhau, generator chalaane ke liye petrol ka paisa tho do”. Complete expectations mismatch, whereas a candidate from the same constituency would know that people cannot afford to spend money on petrol and they would prefer a robust electricity system. To all our great leader – this is not rocket science.

Traditional schools of thought might argue that the feeling of people welfare should come from the heart and location does not matter (typical bollywood style). Also shrewd politicians will say that we need to cover as much ground as possible to get as many seats. Only then we can come to power and work for welfare (but whose?).

Unfortunately for them, these things do matter. To represent the people of a constituency, one needs to know the people, understand their day to day problems and what issues they face. Majority of the needs of the vote bank can be classified into just three words “ roti, kapda aur makaan”. All they ask for is basic utilities like power, clean water, food, basic infrastructure services and decent transport services. And all this is from their money which they pay as taxes. Plus, it is not, as if you work for free or out of social welfare or caring (yes, the truth sucks!). You get paid for it by the people, to work for them. You live comfortable lives in posh localities where you have all the luxuries of life, whereas the people, who made you what you are, live rough, on the streets, without any of the basic means for survival.

Hats off to you leaders of India!!! Its not Jago India…. Its Jago India ke Neta or soon there will be a time when all you will get is a pile of shoes at a polling booth. Did anyone say votes ????? Sorry, whats that ?