Extra-ordinary importance given by media and political heavyweights to Anna-team member Arvind Kejriwal on exercising his voting-right in the poll process for UP state assembly was surprising. Statements by his strong critics like Digvijay Singh on the episode rather resulted in reverse direction by giving anti-corruption activist a hero-like status.
Things would have been much better in actual practice if Anna team would have demanded for option of Article 49(o) on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as ‘Right To Reject’ in Hissar Lok Sabha by-election, instead of opposing singularly Congress candidate that too at a time when none of the three main contestants was considered clean. It would have prevented losing creditability of Anna team, and benefitted national and public interest for a fruitful cause towards much-needed electoral reforms which is rather basic necessity for a scam-free system.
It is a positive sign that a large number of voters for the first time exercised cumbersome option of ‘None to Vote’ which may induce implantation of Election Commission’s proposal to put the option on EVMs so that political parties may be compelled to select good candidates only.
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi