Elections 2009 - Why no Focus on Real Issues?

The world economy went bust dragging along with it our economy. Recession struck. Many became unemployed. Those seeking jobs found it difficult to find one. There has been no access to primary education for the underprivileged. Many people still suffer in poverty. Illiteracy and superstition continues to be rampant. There is still discrimination among castes and the benefits of quotas have not yet reached the lower castes. There has been no proper town planning. There is scarcity of potable drinking water. Electricity is still a pipe dream in several rural areas while the urban areas suffer frequent power cuts. Farmers commit suicides, prices of basic necessities and vegetables continue to increase. Many people are without proper houses, there is no check on illegal migrants. Justice is still out of bounds for the poor. There is lack of internal security and lack of co-ordination in intelligence networks.

The UPA government started with a promise but ended in disappointment. The BJP did not pose stiff opposition to the UPA during its rule. Only the Left parties ended up as the main opposition though they were part of the government. The government was totally complacent of security and intelligence. Then the inevitable happened. Ten men came from the sea aided by Pakistan taking advantage of India's sleeping intelligence network and attacked Mumbai on 26 November, 2008. The rest is history.

Suddenly, there was an outpouring of emotions among the common citizens. They lit candles and marched united irrespective of caste, religion, community and sex. The political leaders kept scurrying for cover. The people demanded accountability from their political leaders. For once, the politicians were really on the backfoot. Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra had to resign due to public pressure. There was anger everywhere and amidst this anger, there was an optimistic hope within me and the common man. I hoped that the 26/11 terror attack will be another flashpoint in Indian history. I hoped for more transparency, vision and accountability among the government. I hoped that the elections 2009 will be a watershed in Indian democracy and a new order will take over the government and promise better things for the people.

My optimism was misplaced. The outpouring of emotions was a temporary phenomenon. The elections were announced. The Hindutva issue suddenly came out from the backburner. The BJP suddenly found a messiah in Varun Gandhi. The regional parties soon deserted the national parties and formed the Third Front and now the Fourth Front. Everyone are keen on stitching alliances and maximizing their pre poll arithmetic and also keeping an eye on their post poll arithmetic. Prime Minister in waiting L.K. Advani dared Dr. Manmohan Singh to come out on a public debate. Dr. Manmohan Singh admitted that he was not a man of debates but claimed that he was a man of action. The other politicians swore to cut hands, heads and trample over opponents with roadrollers. The common man was left bewildered whether he needed security from the terrorists or these political leaders? In Tamil Nadu, the political leaders are more concerned about the plight of the Tamilians in Sri Lanka than in Tamil Nadu. Vaiko is crossing all limits and is more concerned about the killer LTTE chief Prabhakaran. In the North, Sanjay Dutt and Amar Singh are delivering sermons as if they are the only wise people left.

Then a shoe was hurled by a mad journalist at the Home Minister. All hell broke loose. The BJP watched in glee and kept reminding the Congress about the 1984 Sikh killings. The Congress replied back reminding the BJP of the 2002 Gujarat violence. The wheels of justice are too slow to turn in India. The political leaders who incite mass murders and state sponsored acts of terrorism are never brought to justice soon. But the wounds need to be healed and one has to look forward. But instead, with every election, the old wounds are reopened and the politicians play with the emotions of the common citizens.

So, what happened to the real issues? Even the media is not covering them and playing to the gallery.

Why no one is talking about a comprehensive plan for strengthening intelligence and border security?


Why no one is talking about reviving the economy?


Why no one is talking about unemployment and farmer suicides?


Roti, Kapda and Makaan have long been non issues. Who cares for them?


Why no one is talking about our Energy needs and Education?

These are serious issues plaguing our country.

The common man has lost hope.

The forthcoming elections, it seems, will be India's most undemocratic exercise ever. Violence, money power, authoritarian leadership and empty rhetoric continue to be the keys as in every election and the verdict shall end up in one group of thugs ruling over the other.

Mere participation in an election process cannot make us the world's largest democracy. Even Hitler and Saddam Hussein came to power in an election. Democracy is not only about the art of voting and winning. Elections make no difference when the key players - the politicians, parties and voting blocks are undemocratic themselves. No party is truly democratic.

The Congress, we all know plays dynastic politics. The BJP is controlled by the Sangh Parivar. The CPM is run by its own politburo. The regional parties led by Mayawati to Jayalalitha to Sharad Pawar to Bal Thackeray to Naveen Patnaik are all one man shows.

Politicians spend almost their entire time in power to build resources to fight the next election.

The Economic Intelligence Unit has rightly called India a "flawed" democracy.