First Phase of Karnataka Assembly Elections 2008

This is what I wrote to Star of Mysore that was published in today's (11 May 2008) issue with minimal editing (printed in red):

1. Finally the First Phase of elections is over.

2. A thousand gun salute to the Election Commission!! This is the first time in the last half a century that I have seen election sans posters, ugly painting of vacant spaces, screeching loud speakers, huge cut outs, procession of all netas along with their chamchas, and the list is endless. When I went to vote at 7 AM, no agent of any party was visible in the vicinity of the polling booth!

3. This election created history, in that, the former PM’s vehicle was seized a few days ago and yesterday he was checked out of Hassan, one of the former CM’s helicopter was attached and the pilot arrested, another former CM’s vehicle was seized for not possessing the permit, cash, liquor and other items worth lakhs of rupees were seized, and so on. Once, even my car was checked.

4. Although a few officials assigned with poll duties boldly refused to comply with the order, it remains to be seen as to what they would do if the authorities get tough. Some could produce medical certificates (that is available for a price in any case), despite not suffering from any serious ailment. I know of at least two people who were otherwise healthy but produced such certificates and avoided election duties. I also heard of another gentleman who was apparently suffering from some ailment and approached the highest authority available but was suspended from duties since his ECG was apparently normal. If the latter is true, it is really unfortunate since, if he was indeed not suffering from the ailment he claimed he was, he would not have approached the authorities at all, and he should have been let off with a warning instead of placing him under suspension.

5. Many felt that it was below their dignity to perform such menial duties as “Polling Officers”. One professor was heard grumbling that since he was drawing a higher pay than the DC, he was not bound to take any instructions from the DC. Sometimes I wonder as to whose duty it is to conduct the elections. After all, this is our country and state and we should take pride in participating in the election duties. I do not mind attending the duties if asked to do.

5. On the whole, the entire election process was a smooth affair, although the authorities must have burnt a lot of midnight oil to ensure that everything went smoothly. Kudos to the Election Commission and all the officials once again!

The Congress Vote Seekers

1. Something happened in the morning yesterday that was a real eye-opener (to the visitors or me – readers should decide). As I was leaving for my clinic (I was already late and someone was waiting there), about a dozen congress persons, mainly ladies arrived at the gate. I had to entertain them. I requested them not to get upset if I put them any questions.

2. They requested me to vote for congress. When I asked them as to why should I vote for that party and what did they do during their tenure of 20 months, they started telling about the repair of roads in the city. I countered them by saying that it had to be done in any case. I further asked them as to why should I support a party headed by a lady of foreign origin, and a party full of sycophants they had no answer. When I picked one of then and asked him in what way he was inferior to anyone else to contest for the post of PM, he agreed with me; then why choose a novice? Or was it because he was born in the so called royal family? Again they had no answer when I asked them as to why their party was accepting party hoppers?

3. They started telling about the achievements of the candidate from the constituency where I live. They had no answer when I asked then as to why a large plot of land was allotted to him by the MUDA in a prime locality for the construction of a marriage hall and a petrol pump while others' applications were overlooked. To summarise, they had no answer for any of my questions.

4. However, the end was hilarious. Exasperated, an old woman in the group requested me to vote for their candidate since all of them gave me a patient hearing while I was asking them questions!!