The unstoppable VIRUS..

Walking in the streets of my hometown, I could hear the loud words of the people. Everywhere I go, they seem to be speaking about the same topic. At my home, my friend’s home, shops and hotels people have got involved in the similar lines of discussion. “In my home, we received 1000 rupees.” “Oops they gave us only 500 rupees.” Women too were having their own talk. “The saree colour is too bright. I didn’t like the design too”.

The by-election to my hometown constituency is to happen and the bribes they were receiving have become the talk of the town. Both the ruling party and the opposition started wooing the people through cash. Not to mention that dhotis and sarees were also offered. Times have gone when people debated on their ideological differences before elections. People who were scared to accept bribes or who hesitated to tell outside about getting free gifts from unknown person started boasting about the things they have received.

It has become an accepted norm to get what is being offered before the elections. And the money that is being offered plays really an important role in their decisions to cast their vote. “Let me vote for this party as it has offered me and my family a lump sum amount”. Every party has started following this strategy of ‘cash for vote’. Let us try to think from the point of a genuine voter who wanted a government for the welfare of people. When every party comes out with cash to buy his vote, will that genuine voter ever tries to vote for these parties. The voting is happening on elimination basis, rather than on preference basis. “This guy is the worst guy; let me vote for another person who is not that bad as him”.

I turned down the bribe they offered to us. Wow.. I am learning to negotiate with people and learning how to tell a “No” to people. Practical experience which is needed for a manager!! On a serious note, this is actually spreading like a virus. This is not for the first time I am seeing this kind of wooing people. Early in the year General Elections, I saw it in my eyes in one of the important constituency of south Tamil Nadu, where an influential kingmaker was contesting for the first time. With a landslide victory to the person who offered them unprecedented offerings, the formula seems to work out with our people. The trend is continuing and everyone seems to have realised that it is the best strategy to follow to get the votes of people.

When the democracy in our country crumbles like this, I have no regret of not casting my vote though it is about nearly 5 years have passed since I crossed the so called eligible criteria of 18 years. Perhaps even my name is not in the electoral list and I have no intention to get enrolled in the electoral list. May be I am not exercising my duty, but between the devil and deep blue sea I need not choose one for my nation.