The Hindu : Candidate with a different cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Candidate with a different cause

By C. Maya

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 27. Elections might be an occasion for political parties to show each other who is the mightiest of them all. But for the common man, who is a mute spectator on the sidelines, it is often a choice between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

For V.T. Cherian, a Senior Customer Service Supervisor with Air-India here, this helplessness of the common man is what is prompting him to stand for the Lok Sabha polls from Thiruvananthapuram as an independent candidate. Air-India has given him permission to contest elections and carry on with his campaigns so long as it does not encroach upon his duty time.

"My candidature is a message and an encouragement to the youth to come forward to be a part of the political process, rather than let the politicians carve out their fiefdom in the name of public service. I wish more youngsters would feel free to contest elections so that they can add a new dimension to our political system," he says.

He says that he made a conscious decision to contest polls because of a hartal that one of the prominent political parties had organised about a year ago.

"At the time, many parents appealed to them to reconsider their decision because on that particular day, the class X examinations were starting for CBSE students and in the event of a hartal, many children would not be able to reach their examination centres.

But the political party was unwilling to reconsider their decision and hundreds of children had to camp in their schools the previous night or seek refuge in their friends' homes in the city, so that they could be at the examination centres on time.

"When the hardships of students was pointed out to a senior politician, his reply, as it was quoted in the media was, "Let children fend for themselves".

This incident saddened and enraged me that these politicians, whom we voted to power, are so unconcerned about the future of our children. Since then, I have been waiting for this chance when I as an ordinary citizen can stand up and voice my concerns," Mr. Cherian says.

He points out that in the past one year, there have been many hartals and rallies which had made people's lives miserable. Rather than development issues, those in power are more bothered about playing power politics. These are issues that he intends to present before people in this election.

He has already begun his campaign in a small way, by personally meeting people and by making out his case through the media. He will not collect money from the public, put up huge banners or posters or organise meetings at busy junctions, but will concentrate on making use of various people's forums and church assemblies to present himself as a candidate. He has also put up a website, through which he will post his poll messages.

"Have you seen how every traffic island in the city is covered with flags and banners and posters of various political parties, often blocking the view of motorists? These are issues which the public should protest against," Mr. Cherian says.

Can an independent, who has never been in the public eye before, win a poll without the backing of political parties? Mr. Cherian says he has no illusions that he can pull off a victory but that in the coming years, when more youngsters show the conviction and courage to contest polls, no political party could ignore them.

"I know that a lot of individuals and also the youth will support me because in recent times, people have openly begun to express their disillusionment with political parties. Many youth are not interested in exercising their franchise because they have lost faith in our current political system," Mr. Cherian points out.

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