ELECTIONS - INDIAN STYLE

Elections to four State Assemblies and one Union Territory are fast approaching. In all the four States, Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Pondicherry election fever is fast catching up. Political equations too changing fast in each State as all parties are weighing the pros and cons of changing political equations. Each State witnesses scenes of seat sharing and main parties like monkeys distributing bread among themselves are allocating specific numbers of seats to each smaller entities depending upon the strength of each entity some are pastmasters in bargaining, some not that efficient, the ones with big bargaining capacity take away with them more seats and others will have to satisfy with less number of seats. This is not the story of a particular State but of all States, please note, the States which are getting ready for elections. The interesting scenes we witness in the visual media that each candidate with folded hands, approach each voter - who is the king till the election is over – and with all humility appeal for the invaluable vote doling out promises galore.
Occasionally, arguments, clashes, squabbles too occur, mind you, there are more than one thousand political parties in India but these are all the order of the day. Graffiti, processions, slogan-shouting jeeps and cars fitted with mikes, banners, placards with pictures of candidates and leaders are present in very nook and corner of the land. Election fever is something infectious, which affects not only the parties and candidates but even the common man who watch the scenes on the sidelines. To each approaching candidate, he assures of his support and promises to vote for him actually what is in his mind is anybody’s guess.
On the crucial day of election he goes to vote, stands in the queue and silently cast his vote and returns home. More active ones, even on the voting day literally compel the ones resting in their homes and persuade them to vote for their favourable candidates.
After the voting is over claims and counter-claims are aplenty and those who keep mum are also galore. With the close of election carnival everything is back to square one till the day votes are counted.
At present in each State, election scene is in a fluid state, prediction could sometimes go wrong, sometimes turn right. But predictions always will be there, otherwise what elections?