The Hindu : Kerala News : Common man not enthused by elections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Common man not enthused by elections

By R. Ramabhadran Pillai

KOCHI, APRIL 21. The common man has his opinions and concerns; but his words are not counted upon in the decision-making process. His voices get drowned in the din of elections. That is how at least a few of the ordinary voters here feel.

With the Lok Sabha elections yet to generate a visible enthusiasm among the people in general, questions on the state of political affairs evoke a drab response from the layman. Most of them have a fair knowledge of the intricacies of Indian politics and do not consider the elections as an opportunity to usher in a change in their life. ``Whoever comes to power, the ultimate result is one and the same,'' said Ashraf, a lottery ticket-seller. ``Political parties promise many things before elections. But once their candidates get elected, only two out of ten promises get fulfilled,'' he said. Nevertheless, he had exercised his franchise in the elections held in the past. This time too, he has decided to vote. For whom? Pat came the reply: the Left. It is only the Left which takes the trouble to pursue the voters list and takes appropriate measures to ensure inclusion of names in the list, according to him.

He is not enamoured of the governance by any political combination. It was the direction of the Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions that led to better administration in Kochi, he said, in a bid to support his opinion.

Yousuf, an autorickshaw driver, has decided to refrain from voting in protest against the uninspiring political scenario. He is disgusted with corruption at high places. He is equally unhappy with groupism in politics. The political parties indulging in repulsive groupism are insensitive to the bare needs of the common man, he said.

What about the prospects of BJP? He does not know. But he dares to make a comment: ``The BJP should come to power in Kerala. It is only then that the LDF and the UDF will learn a lesson that Kerala is not their monopoly.'' He blamed the Indian Union Muslim League for its involvement in the Marad issue.

Najeeb, a salesman, is a youngster who is least enthused by the elections. ``Society is still divided into haves and have-notes. Life is a drudgery for ordinary people. A man arriving in a Benz car has a place in any office while the layman has to wait,'' he said. Political parties make use of the people to suit the leaders' convenience; there are people who die for the party, but who is bothered about them, he asked. All the same, he has decided to vote because he considers it as the duty of every Indian.

Moideen, a caretaker of a complex, felt that the family hierarchy in politics should come to an end. He will exercise his franchise, but will not impose his will on anybody else in his family which has seven others voters. ``It is their freedom,'' he said. What about BJP's prospects in Kerala? ``It will take another 10 years for that party to register victory in Kerala,'' is the reply.

``Politics is an industry,'' said another disgusted voter, Davis, a shopkeeper. ``Politicians are interested in looking after their own interests. Whoever rules, it is all the same,'' the man who has not voted for the past five elections comments. This time too he will not vote.

There are many more such voters. As the preparations are in full swing for electing a `government of the people, for the people, by the people', there are people who do not care to vote. Are their numbers increasing? One has to wait till the numbers tell the truth, once the elections are over.

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