A democracy in the dark

Modern Times
By Abhay Mangaldas

A democracy in the dark
The continuation of a dialogue on modern times between Bhrahm and Vish – two fictitious Ahmedabadi characters, like you and me.
Have you decided whom you’ll vote for this coming election, Bhrahm?
Normally, I’d place my vote based on ideology, leadership or performance. In the present scenario, The choice is so indistinct, that it is rather confusing. How do you distinguish between Waghela and Modi? They are both cut from the same RSS cloth. Clearly, it’s difficult to buy Waghela’s secular stand. Especially when the gentleman used to spew vitriol against the same party that he now leads! And if religion is the only ideology for this election, it doesn’t do anything for me!
Ok, so you think there’s no great distinction in ideology on which this election is being fought, between the two. What about leadership?
Let’s see, which was the most decisive action taken by either one? The only incident that comes to mind about Waghela is how he convinced a plane load of his MLA’s to hole up in some hotel in Aurangabad (was it?) so they wouldn’t defect! And about Modi, he had an opportunity to prove himself post Godhra and we all know what happened.
What do you mean?
Isn’t safety and security the most fundamental expectation from the government that you elect to power? I don’t feel secure under this government anymore and I belong to the majority community… so imagine!
What about their performance then?
What has the BJP government achieved for the people of Gujarat that is apparent to the common man?
Why, it brought water to the state?
Certainly amongst their most visible achievement, it will certainly get them some votes! Even their post earthquake performance was not too bad! They allowed the NGO’s to function, by and large, without interfering! Financially, however, it has been a disastrous term. Keshubhai never quite figured out what dotcom meant and Modi has still to find time for it! Overall I cannot rate them higher than three on ten.
And the previous government?
I believe that on the financial front, Shri Chimanbhai Patel was the only star performer for the Congress.
If stories one hears are true, he performed rather well for himself too, may god rest his soul!
Madhavsingh Solanki tried to emulate him but didn’t quite match up. And the gentleman after him was the reason the opposition came to power! But still, I would rate them a five on ten.
So where does it leave your vote?
I wish there were a regional party in Gujarat that was fighting the election on local issues like prohibition, heritage conservation, tax-free haven for NRG deposits and higher incentives in tourism sector. In absence of one, I guess I will have to vote for the individual rather than the party. Unfortunately, I don’t even know who it is yet! Which means that as in the past, my vote will be pretty much a shot in the dark!
Gee, that sounds kind of glum coming from a well-educated, well-read and socially aware person like you, Bhrahm!
Why are there no debates, why doesn’t the media grill each candidate on what they stand? Why is there no ‘know your candidate’ awareness program? Why is the voter asked take such an important decision without adequate information?
If this is how you feel, barely three weeks before a landmark election that will decide the fate of the country in terms of setting an unsavory nexus between religion and politics, what must be the criteria for the uneducated masses that really determine who will come to power?
One thing’s for sure, the kind of leader that I would want never seems to be even in the reckoning! Makes me wonder whether it is because I don’t have my ear to the ground or there is a flaw in the system!