The “Maha Kumbh” of Elections

As I write, we Indians are in the midst of the Kumbh. Unlike the religious one which occurs every twelve years, this one happens every five, (fortunately though, as this shows that we’ve had a stable government or that it just survived!), with the same fervour nevertheless. That’s not all. In these lok sabha elections, one may see the numerous rallies taking place all across the country, with the same fair like sentiment – in both cases people in thousands gather at a place…. No! Let me stop it…. Why am I linking two distantly related events??? I don’t know… Maybe my sub-conscious wanted to, after finding itself in the middle of a hollow election…

Where are the ISSUES???

Ask any well aware person… He/She will right away start enlisting the important events of the past five years – more than 60 bomb blasts in various cities, the recent 26/11, economic slowdown, inflation, regional divides, caste politics, development, farmer suicides, nuke deal et cetera… These are just the contemporary issues let alone the relatively perennial ones like that of Kashmir, Pak, North-East, Naxalite etc…

But what makes me disappointed is the fact that in this election, none of the above issues are being talked about. There are no political discussions happening, none of the politicians seem to be interested in raising the issues out in the open. It seems we are just like sitting idle, observing these issues-less elections.

So how these elections will be remembered? Obviously for its issueless-ness and the kind of masala it has till now given to us spicy-food loving Indians! Be it the face-off between the proxy-PM Manmohan Singh and the aspirant Pm L. K. Advani. At least we should thank the latter for making the PM speak the first time in the past five years!

My pal, Chimp (whom I’ll introduce you all sometime later), points out that these elections are also witnessing the active campaigning by Indira Gandhi… “What???? You sure Chimpy? Oh! Got it… You are talking about Priyanka Gandhi!!!” Well, yes then, let me explain what he wanted to… Priyanka has actively campaigned for her mother and brother this time. But take note of two things. First, she keeps short (read very short) hair. Second, she puts on her grandmother’s saris for the rallies… this she does so, to make an impression on the audience. That the masses may see a reflection of Late Indira Gandhi in her.