The election time
K S S Pillai
As is the case most of the time, election to some of the state assemblies is around the corner. The model code of conduct, declared by the Election Commission, is in place. Governments have been prohibited from announcing fresh developmental schemes that could sway the voters to their side.
Ministers are busy canvassing in these states, skipping their usual duties. Looking at the extent of disruption caused by frequent elections, one would have expected widespread support to the idea of ‘one nation, one election’ floated by the prime minister, but nothing of that sort has happened for various reasons.
One thing that has been welcomed by all sections of the society is the sudden stoppage of the daily hike in the price of petrol, diesel, and other fuels.
Being a democracy, getting votes by hook or crook is the main concern of all political parties. Offering freebies, if voted to power, is one of the promises being dangled before the electorate. Who would not like getting electricity, water, laptop and the like free?
But spoil-sports are everywhere, like the ones who have approached the highest court of the country seeking a ban on such promises. They argue that the parties have no business offering to spend taxpayers’ money on such freebies. The matter is under the active consideration of the court and a verdict is expected soon.
Caste is another factor that no political party in our country can ignore at the election time. They keep this factor in mind while making promises and selecting candidates and campaigners.
Election eve is also the time for politicians to jump from one party to another one. The crafty politicians know which way the wind is blowing and lose no time in switching sides. The denial of tickets to them or their near ones to fight elections may be one of the reasons. It is not uncommon to see spoke-persons of one party suddenly changing colours and launching scathing attacks on their old party. They have spent their entire productive life in politics and are wary of stepping outside. Who would like to be deprived of palatial bungalows, chauffeur-driven limousines, free telephone calls, subsidized canteens, and umpteen such facilities?
It is a common during the election time to see candidates and their supporters visiting voters. They would enquire about the well-being of the voter like a long-lost brother, go on shaking his hands, and hug him to show how concerned they were about his well-being. They would even embrace dirty children with their noses running, and pet them as if they were the cutest things on the earth. Some would sit on the floor with the so-called low-caste voters and par take food with them in front of reporters and photographers.
I am reminded of my early brush with politics when I did not even know the meaning of the word. I was a school student, and my home state of Kerala had the first elected communist ministry. During the election to the local body, one prominent citizen of our village had become a candidate of that party. Election time used to be no less than the festive season. Rallies were held often, and the youngsters were welcome, as their voices were the loudest. What attracted me was the blood-red flag of the party and the catchy slogans. The public meetings would also be entertaining. Sometimes children would deliver spirited speeches. There used to be cultural programmes between speeches.
After the rally, we would assemble in the compound of the candidate. It was the mango season, and he had several trees full of mangoes. The candidate or the members of his family were in no position to prevent us from climbing the trees or bringing down the fruits with stones and sticks. By the time the election was over, the trees were bereft of the fruits. The redeeming factor was that the guy won the election.
(The author is a retired professor of English. A regular contributor to The Kashmir Vision, his articles and short stories have appeared in various national and international publications)
