Wednesday, May 10, 2006

N.P.UPADHYAYA

It was the election time. As usual and which is what is in practice this particular leader went to his constituency. He made several promises that he would do this or do that for the overall development of that particular village.

The villagers were illiterate ones and hence could not resist their temptation to favor this particular leader for the fourth time.

However, one among the illiterates was an intelligent boy who had some educational background. As was natural this half-educated student made a query to the leader as to why he could not do any thing as per his previous promises made at time of the elections in the past?

Since the question was a valid one and what was also true that the illiterate voters have had favored this particular leader for three consecutive times and sent to power. However, the leader ever neglected the plight of his constituency and came again and again as and when the election commenced.

Since this was a question posed to the leader, the villagers too were tempted to add strength to the voice of the student.

It should be noted here that the leader was seeking the villager's favor for the fourth time.

The leader too thought to speak the truth. And he told the truth without hiding his weaknesses committed in the past. Nevertheless, he made every thing clear to his voters in a modest manner.

This was what he told his voters.

Look when you selected me for the first time and sent to the power corridors, I did every thing possible to upgrade my personal living standard and look I have by now every thing for myself. I have in my possession the amount that will sustain the same living standards of my kids for decade and decades to come. To tell you very frankly, prior to this election, my standard was no less than what you the filthy folks have at the moment.

So this is what I did when you elected me for the first time. I concentrated my entire efforts in upgrading my own material gains.

Now when you elected me for the second time, I, as a matter of practice in the political circle, did every thing that I could for my immediate "relatives". And look now my relatives too have attained a new height and command respect in the society. Or else they were very much the same like you poor guys. So this is what I did for the second time. In this way I managed the well being of my relatives when you sent me to power for the second time. It is a fact. I admit. The sum total is that I could not find time to listen to your genuine grievances because I have had to look for my relatives. You the poor fellows

Now you will certainly ask me, the leader continued, as to what I did in my third round of being in power?

Since the question is full of logic so I must answer it in an honest manner.

In effect, I invested my entire energy and power to enhance the living standards of those who have had supported me at time of the election by making you the folks fools. Since it was an obligation for me to oblige my friends and thus I used all of my authoritative power(s) to enhance their well being. Tell me how I can betray those who managed my victory each time of the elections in the past? These were the same people who every time made false promises and convinced you all that if I were sent to power, I could do miracles for the development of this particular village.

Now that I have nothing to gain, the leader goes on to say, so I will keep my promises to you if you elect me again. And that since I have already taken well care of my relatives and immediate friends as stated earlier , so what else should I do now other than to engage my entire efforts in developing this village?

It is time that I will do all I can for you the voters. I promise now that you will have pure drinking water and electricity within a month of my getting elected. Primary schools will be soon instituted and you will have health clinics. In addition to all these, I promise this time that you will have road-links to the district headquarters.

So vote for me. Elect me for the fourth time, the leader pleaded.

The intelligent boy was listening to the leaders' explanations. The boy clearly told the leader that the villagers will not vote for him this time.

An annoyed leader then modestly said the villagers that if you don't vote for me and some else came to power, he too would repeat the same acts and you all will thus be denied development for yet another three rounds of elections.

Listening to the leader's frank but yet discouraging revelation they all decided to vote for him again. They concluded that it would be less harmful in selecting the old leader again than having a fresh one.

They settled for a less damage.

Does this phenomenon not apply in our own case? This is what is happening in effect. The same faces are appearing every time to power. Can we the people change our preferences while selecting the candidates?

Achtung! Uwaga!