So, here we are. Hopefully, putting a strong foot forward as we enter the second year of this conversation.
And at the very outset of this blog, I had a decision to make. The counter that we have on this series was at "Week 52". By default, it increments by one. But, like any counter, it too has a maximum value that it can store, and 52 seemed to be the obvious choice since that's when you reach a year, and start something new. So, by that logic, this post should have been labelled "Year 1 Week 1". But I said "wateva" and went for "Week 53".
[Sorry if you get bored with the numerous programming analogies here. As you would have guessed, I'm being taught the same in my course right now]
That's how you make an impetuous decision. But in five days, I've to make an informed decision, as will most probably yourselves too. The elections for the 16th Lok Sabha members will be conducted next week at my place. And this week's post will have a look at some of the facts regarding the same.
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[I am not aligned nor am I against any political party. I'm yet to convinced about the genuinity of any of them. Any pro-party or anti-party inferences you make from my statements are your own, because I've not consciously intended to make any here.]
1. Largest electoral strength in the world.
India has the largest electoral strength in the world. According to the Election Commision of India, it is estimated to be more than 81 crores. And the cost of conducting these elections (excluding security and individual candidate expenses) will consume about Rs.3500 crores of the tax payer's contribution.
2. 272 is the magic number.
There are 543 seats available to be contested in the Lok Sabha. And to form a government, you need to have at least 272 of the Lok Sabha members to support you.
3. Rs. 30,500 crores
That's the amount the candidates will be spending to get a ticket to the big league. No wonder there's corruption in this country. If an Indian spends 10 rupees, he expects to get back hundred. I guess the sum total of all the scams would hold that ratio.
4. Youth and social networking
More than any other segment of the population, the youth has been targeted by the candidates for canvassing. For the sake of clarity, youth would include those in the age group of 18-40. I know, it's a stretch, but bear with me.
Anyways, the candidates have utilized the vast, penetrative interconnection called the social network to reach out to the said youth. The amount of pages, shares, +1s, whatsapp messages and the like is a definite indicator of the same.
5. The issues
According to the popular sources (read media and the candidates in the current opposition), the major issues in the country are "price rise, corruption, security, unemployment, shortage of basic amenities", in no specific order. I believe that the major issue is that these were banded out from the 1st election to the last one. No one has done anything other than remedial measures.
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We normally don't have a post-script rant over here, but this post requires one. The spark for this post came from not the general election that's going to start on Monday, but the numerous mandates that have been found lying in my house's porch. There are (I think) 20 candidates vying to be the MP of Thiruvananthapuram. And so, I guess I'm not short of options for confirming my first vote. Coming back to the point, among the many color brochures was a black and white one - of Aam Aadmi Party.
If there was one party I chose to believe at some point of time, it was AAP. And they crushed it to pieces, when they took the help of Congress to get into power at Delhi. I'm currently waiting for them to come back to their originally determined path. If so, I'll have a party, I'll have an ideal to support again.
And another notion that came into my head was regarding reservations. Several politicians are going around saying that they'll force private companies to provide reservation systems just like in the public sector. To put that into practice would require a humongous effort, and would result in massive unemployment. That would be because most of the current international companies would wind up shop here, and move to China or elsewhere.
Coming back to my point, the Member of Parliament is a government job, right? It even has pension scheme. So, why is there no reservation or quotas in the selection procedure for the same? I'll take your leave with that question.
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That's it for this week. Hopefully, that special post will be out next week.
You all have a great weekend.
'til next week.
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