A little political story
She went to the polling booth in a dilemma. It was the first time that
she was voting. She had relinquished her shopping plans to step out and vote.
Even though she was eligible to vote for many years now, she had taken the trouble
only this time to get her name added to the voters list, and got her voter ID card
made. She was in for a pleasant surprise, as getting the voter ID card was much
easier than she thought it would be. There was a purpose to why she went
through all this anxiety. A new political frenzy had captured her city's
imagination like never before. It was a three sided battle, with two large
parties on two flanks and a third smaller party on the side that was making an
entry into politics with the assurance of cleaner and more effective
governance. She knew that all her friends were going to vote for this new
party. And why should they not? It was after many years that somebody had
really challenged the two big titans in the electorally vibrant city, and made
them believe that it is actually a political institution that could really bring
about the transformation. She had no doubt that this party could liberate the country
from the crutches of corruption. The novel publicity had also helped in tipping
the scales in favour of this party.
As she waited anxiously in the line for her turn, her thoughts went back
to the conversation at the breakfast table this morning. Her entire family had
made up their mind to vote for the larger opposition party whose national leader
had swept the national in fervour like never before. They had bought into his
progressive outlook and the developmental agenda. They believed that it was his
party which could bring down the inflation, give them the much needed respite, and pave the way
for a brighter future. While they did reflect on the smaller party, it was a cleverer
scheme to vote for the same party locally which had the best chance to form the
national government. The rhetoric skills of the national leader had been the theme
of discussion at the supper table these last few days. Was she being too brash in
misapprehending their years' of experience? Or was it just hip to go against
your own family in matters concerning national politics?
She entered the booth nervously and was handed over the ballot paper.
The ballot paper had all types of symbols. She swift glanced over and was quick
to recognise the lotus, the palm and the broom. Before she could reach a verdict,
she gathered her thoughts for one final time. The tune rang in her years. She
had been hearing it for a month now on radio. There was no doubt it was
melodious, even if it was a song made for an election campaign. It was an ode
to the development in the city, and the fact that nobody could halt the
development. And yes, the city had developed indeed. There were the flyovers, the
wide roads and the metro. How could they not give credit to the sweet elderly
lady for doing all this? She was doing a fine job in the contemporary political
atmosphere. She could not be part of all those scams. Not all politicians are evil.
The dilemma and turmoil had reached its peak. She scanned the ballot
paper for one last time and her hand drifted from one symbol to another. As she
was going through the commotion in her head, she finally did something that she
always knew deep her in soul. She wondered why she had taken all this time deliberating
about the right choice. She even let out a little grin. The symbol in the
bottom right corner was the prettiest. She had always admired this dark shade.
She made a mark on the trendy looking designer purse, put the paper back
in the ballot box and walked out with a feeling of content. It was a day well
spent.
Inspired by Manasi Kothari's true story.
posted by Piyush Peshwani at 5:22 AM
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