So it begins...The circus alternatively called "elections" of supposedly world's largest democracy. With barely six months to go a frantic Congress, frenzied BJP and facetious AAP are saddling their dark horses to put up candidatures which are going to govern one billion Indians. One can most appropriately call it the "Great Indian Circus" (not of Aamir Khan of Dhoom 3 fame) but a much more realistic one .Trapeze artists, Clowns, Ring Masters, Magicians ,Jugglers all from the political class will put on their best acts for all of Indians to see! Then of course there will be media acting as ticket sellers ,which would sell it as if our entire existence down to our mundane chores like even ablutions,absolutely depended on it. Unfortunately given Indian context the sad truth is no matter which government gets to rule, a common Indian will suffer. This is not a mere statement made in desperation but a fact! To elucidate subsidies will be given to rural India populace, hence middle class will be taxed higher, farmers will still kill themselves,bureaucratic class will be more concerned about managing their posts to worry about governance. Urban poor will have a higher BPL definition parameter from Rs.11 per day to Rs.14 land banks will be amassed by the corrupt to be passed on to political ilk or developers for a fee. Women will continue to get raped and murdered, unemployment will be on the increase, students will still eat near stale food and RTE ,FSB ,NREGA will all be acts aiding corruption instead of benefitting the bulk of Indian masses. But like all great shows the adage goes "the show must go on"! Necessary components such as glamour, makeup and stage are being discussed in dress rehearsals .Who would dance with whom who is the villain etc .One wonders how did the metamorphosis of elections from a serious democracy defining activity to a theatrical one happen ? One could wryly say its all the props that have been added !
To begin what is different this time in Indian Loksabha elections? For starters lets take the budgets that these parties have set aside for "publicity" .The staggering amount beats a Shahrukh Khan ,Salman Khan or Rajnikanth starrer. While one wonders if Rs.500 crore of the Congress and some such similar amount for other parties could not have been put to better use !The parties themselves seem to think publicity is the key to success than good governance which is indeed very disturbing.One was appalled to see designers like Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar et all "designing" a wardrobe for Arvind Kejriwal to make him look dapper !eh? Looks apparently are important for being a politician. Brains am sure come last in the pecking order as one has ample proof in a leading party president who may become PM! Then again if we analyse the main theme of communication of the above three parties the communication key words of the congress being "Secularism" ,BJP being "progress" and AAP being "Corruption"? (unfortunately no longer believe in that) .A party like AAP which was so much against corruption and wanted to challenge an undoubtedly corrupt congress government today has started "emphasising" that its main enemy is BJP ? While one does not doubt that BJP is also equally corrupt ,it must be with good measure that we understand Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh etc. are "partners " of the Congress coalition. So one is not only sceptical on the "methods" of AAP but also its intent on corruption. Suddenly the goal post has shifted dramatically. Please note that every eminent personality is reported to have "quit" their jobs or "intent"to join AAP but are not "certain" that they have! Exceptions being Ashutosh of IBN 7, Meera Sanyal , Mallika Sarabhai to mention a few. These guys are undoubtedly good at whatever they do but are they going to be good politicians ?Will they be able to govern? Its like having Sachin Tendulkar on your cricket team v/s having Sachin Tendulkar on your swimming team. His intent to lead India to victory in swimming may be there but will he be able to ?
In a recent interaction with Dr.Ashok Khemka (he is the famous man who challenged Robert Vadra and DLF land deal ) one was exposed to some home truths;
a)If you are good at your job and want to keep doing it honestly you don't necessarily have to contest elections and attempt to change the world.
b)A street smart good professional is more effective than a very honest yet inefficient professional .
c)To bell the cat one has to have a bell and attempt putting it around the cats neck. It may claw scratch and resist but that is a part of the deal.
What one is alluding to is that every citizen of India should use nature given gift called "brains" while polling. Voting must be done with a rationale that the most efficient candidate who would be able to govern within the existing framework ,given the tough conditions with a intent to deliver on ground should be given a preference while casting a vote. Not the huge sentimentality or the appearance or the methods applied which are all superficial gimmicks. A candidate deserves a vote not the party as that is the candidate who "may" do good work for you and your neighbourhood. One can look at the condition of once a glorious state of Maharashtra. Today Mumbai's seams are bursting not because of lack of resources(we run 70% of rest of India in terms of tax collections) but lack of intent. Weak leadership compounding to one of the most corrupt coalition partners has literally destroyed this city. It has no roads, impractical transport system alternatives, unplanned mostly illegal real estate, humungous lack of sanitation ,law and order problems ..one could go on endlessly. As a electorate it has 5 major parties including the Shivsena, MNS, RPI and the two major ones of Congress and BJP. None aspire the confidence to put back this doddering city on its legs. But with all fanfare the music rolls and the circus begins. Mass entertainment at the cost of common man. In the background somewhere, musicians are playing "we shall overcome" or "hum honge kaamyaab ek din".
To begin what is different this time in Indian Loksabha elections? For starters lets take the budgets that these parties have set aside for "publicity" .The staggering amount beats a Shahrukh Khan ,Salman Khan or Rajnikanth starrer. While one wonders if Rs.500 crore of the Congress and some such similar amount for other parties could not have been put to better use !The parties themselves seem to think publicity is the key to success than good governance which is indeed very disturbing.One was appalled to see designers like Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar et all "designing" a wardrobe for Arvind Kejriwal to make him look dapper !eh? Looks apparently are important for being a politician. Brains am sure come last in the pecking order as one has ample proof in a leading party president who may become PM! Then again if we analyse the main theme of communication of the above three parties the communication key words of the congress being "Secularism" ,BJP being "progress" and AAP being "Corruption"? (unfortunately no longer believe in that) .A party like AAP which was so much against corruption and wanted to challenge an undoubtedly corrupt congress government today has started "emphasising" that its main enemy is BJP ? While one does not doubt that BJP is also equally corrupt ,it must be with good measure that we understand Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh etc. are "partners " of the Congress coalition. So one is not only sceptical on the "methods" of AAP but also its intent on corruption. Suddenly the goal post has shifted dramatically. Please note that every eminent personality is reported to have "quit" their jobs or "intent"to join AAP but are not "certain" that they have! Exceptions being Ashutosh of IBN 7, Meera Sanyal , Mallika Sarabhai to mention a few. These guys are undoubtedly good at whatever they do but are they going to be good politicians ?Will they be able to govern? Its like having Sachin Tendulkar on your cricket team v/s having Sachin Tendulkar on your swimming team. His intent to lead India to victory in swimming may be there but will he be able to ?
In a recent interaction with Dr.Ashok Khemka (he is the famous man who challenged Robert Vadra and DLF land deal ) one was exposed to some home truths;
a)If you are good at your job and want to keep doing it honestly you don't necessarily have to contest elections and attempt to change the world.
b)A street smart good professional is more effective than a very honest yet inefficient professional .
c)To bell the cat one has to have a bell and attempt putting it around the cats neck. It may claw scratch and resist but that is a part of the deal.
What one is alluding to is that every citizen of India should use nature given gift called "brains" while polling. Voting must be done with a rationale that the most efficient candidate who would be able to govern within the existing framework ,given the tough conditions with a intent to deliver on ground should be given a preference while casting a vote. Not the huge sentimentality or the appearance or the methods applied which are all superficial gimmicks. A candidate deserves a vote not the party as that is the candidate who "may" do good work for you and your neighbourhood. One can look at the condition of once a glorious state of Maharashtra. Today Mumbai's seams are bursting not because of lack of resources(we run 70% of rest of India in terms of tax collections) but lack of intent. Weak leadership compounding to one of the most corrupt coalition partners has literally destroyed this city. It has no roads, impractical transport system alternatives, unplanned mostly illegal real estate, humungous lack of sanitation ,law and order problems ..one could go on endlessly. As a electorate it has 5 major parties including the Shivsena, MNS, RPI and the two major ones of Congress and BJP. None aspire the confidence to put back this doddering city on its legs. But with all fanfare the music rolls and the circus begins. Mass entertainment at the cost of common man. In the background somewhere, musicians are playing "we shall overcome" or "hum honge kaamyaab ek din".
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