We Indians are invited every three to five years for electing a new leader either in the states or in the country. For long many have expressed their prominent views on this subject stating that ‘politics is nothing but a gutter or filth.’ But the point is – how many really come out to vote? Parties woo their voters with freebees. Many simply fall for it while others ignore it. Some community leaders freely exercise their influence in voting to a particular party on the basis of the communal support influenced by the politicians. It is high time to stop influencing the voters and let them decide on the basis of performance of politicians, track record etc. All this can happen only when the educated, likeminded men or women enter the political arena. But then, when the educated enter the politics, the voters fail to vote them to power as in the case of Mylapore constituency in Chennai. Perhaps, it is time for students, youths, from prominent institutions to team up and create a new political environment which is totally free from corruption, criminalisation etc. Perhaps this year’s election may be a stepping-stone as many prominent business communities are coming forward to encourage their people to vote during the time of elections. Let us wait and watch.
Farzana Nigar
Ranchi, Jharkhand