Nelson Lopes
Change of parties or candidates is the only assurance that is more endurable for even some time. When disappointed, dissatisfied with the change ushered in with good hope, after much thought the error in judgment is to be accepted with grace. Did our choice of candidates fulfill social aspirations or merely our personal advancement being in close proximity? We are being reminded about our sacred vote as right, but there is no corresponding duty cast on electors. Once elected for next five years they do not need you, seek and meet you, but on the contrary you seek their presence and association putting them on the pedestal of honour and glory. All schemes that were promised are forgotten with the passage of time. Then there is justification of non delivery due to being in opposition, independent.
Lack of finance and as a voter you are hopelessly left to lick your hurts and wounds too until the next election perhaps. When parties have not fielded enough candidates the dream of fishing in trouble waters is the only aim, or else they will make common cause for personal enhancement, albeit for good of voters. There are many candidates in a constituency, which makes the wise choice very difficult. Some guidelines issued by so-called leaders are not discernible to common voters .All such merit is not found in isolation in any party in particular. There is a mixed bag of choices, Usually the money power and muscle power is considered win ability trait and hence character, education, past performance just evaporate and distillate is inconsequential to serve as worthy guidelines.
Finally caste, religion family relations will come to fore for the decision of choice of candidates. The division of votes is cherished by the ruling party to win with minimum of vote percentage.
Vote you must, but what will ultimately guide us is not sound logic based on any estimation of pros and cons. The deceivers know very well the span of short term memories. We have hinged our progress on speech diets, yoga, make in India, swach bharat, with very little to show as a report card for employment, women protection and safety, empowerment, corruption et all hence the vote should be for change and not status quo to continue what is called legalised loot and organised plunder.
