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Prof. M. Venkatarangaiya says (and all of us agree) that “voting is the final stage in the election process. All the earlier operations like preparation of correct electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, calling for the nominations and their scrutiny, and the arrangements for polling are all necessary only to make voting possible and meaningful. All this proceeds on the assumption that the citizen values his vote and welcomes the opportunity to cast it”. “This is also why”, says Prof. Aiya, “the election day is declared a public holiday”. “But this assumption has not been found correct in respect of voters”, laments Prof. Aiya. “Voters tend to become more apathetic and more uninterested in the political problems facing the country”. This is really regrettable. Non - voting leads to the undermining of democracy.

The second duty of the voters is “voting honestly”. There are three kinds of interests which may influence a citizen when he decides to vote, says Prof. Aiya. The voter may try to secure some personal advantage, or the advantage of some one group or section to which he belongs. He has to vote to promote national or State interests. He has to vote honestly (as said earlier). The vote is a public trust. Voting wisely is the third duty of the voters. Wisdom lies in a voter choosing a party candidate in preference to an “independent”. An independent cannot usually get the co - operation of other members of the legislature. In case of no party securing the required majority for forming the government, the independent member becomes a prize bull. Horse - trading is very dangerous. It negates the principles of democracy. Candidates set up by totalitarian parties or those where they are controlled by a single boss or family should be shunned. It is unfortunate that no party takes up the preparation of a rational manifesto seriously. Elections should not be fought on issues of personal animosity or seeking vengeance. Policies are very important. Family control of a party is very dangerous. We therefore revert to the feudal times.

When our nation became independent we had all dreamt that milk and honey would flow along our rivers and streets! But no one thinks of milk and honey available to the masses. The elections have become an occasion for the free flow of venom. We teach our youngsters how to hate one another and grab whatever is available. The press is forced to play the role of the gutter (I am not blaming the press. The whole society is poisoned. The press is only the media of whatever is purveyed). The parties and candidates lavishly spend the money for securing votes. Thanks to a conscientious Election Commission, loud and vulgar means of campaigning is prohibited. The candidates, if they cannot establish a society with free flow of milk and honey, think that they can at least do one thing— free flow of liquor! If they had a free hand, they would make our land a Liquor Raj! Thank God! It is not in their power! In economics, one of the canons of Taxation is “Quid pro quo”. The tax payer should get some benefit in return for the tax he pays. But this should not be treated as a bargain. His interests should be safeguarded but should not be harmful to society.

But we find today that in our elections a lot of bargaining is taking place. The mining lobby, for example, has become very powerful. The parties tend to yield to its pressure. We read in the newspapers about the ugly and very dangerous trends. There are several groups inside the lobby. Each group is fighting with others to gain full control. This has become a mafia (a secret organisation of criminals that is very active and harmful). Political parties are yielding to its pressure. Money power, muscle power and political power are working in tandem! Similarly there are other lobbies or mafia. Democracy is tarnished. It is tilted. One of the most powerful developments is the creation of black money. Every election results in the creation and circulation of more black money. Any money given secretly, covertly and not overtly is a contribution to the black wealth. This has become a serious threat to legal tender money or official money. Black money is actually feeding a parallel economy. Once money becomes “black”, it continues to be black in colour. There are agencies and institutions which undertake the task of making it white — laundering. Our laundries are conducting harmless business. Money launderers are engaged in clandestine activities.

Another slogan which gains currency during an election is “Note for Vote”. The Election Commission has noted — i.e., noticed — this nefarious activity. Many operators of this activity, who exchange “note” for “vote” are caught red - handed. This is largely reported in the press. But what happens thereafter nobody knows! One of the strange features of the current election is that while some candidates have declared their assets as worth crores of rupees, some others are cousins of Kuchelas! They have no asset, no property. They do not even own a house! How they are able to contest the elections and distribute “gifts” to voters is a miracle!

One notices some very healthy developments also in the present elections. While some people somehow manage to distribute notes, liquor, dhoties and sarees clandestinely, some well - meaning and very honest candidates also are engaged in note-offering! But the process is the other way about! Voters not only promise to vote for the candidates, they also offer “notes”! Candidates of Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha (SKP) are lucky in getting notes also. They are so honest that they do not spend to eat Sweet (S) and Kara (K) preparations (P). They promptly credit the bank account of the party. Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader M. Nanjunda Swamy conceptualized it. Thank God! There are at least some honest candidates. May their tribe increase!

HSK
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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