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Whiff of power

Updated on: 29 September,2009 08:53 AM IST  | 
Shaheen Parkar |

Exactly two weeks to go to the state polls and there is already speculation about who will be the new CM of Maharashtra! The whiff of power is any day better than the best brewed coffee.

Whiff of power

Exactly two weeks to go to the state polls and there is already speculation about who will be the new CM of Maharashtra! The whiff of power is any day better than the best brewed coffee.

Political soothsayers have begun with their predictions ahead of the candidates hitting the trail. For whom will it be a cakewalk and for whom the road's end? Will the MNS really make a dent?
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As usual, those who have been denied party tickets are jumping into the fray as rebels or switching loyalties to the party willing to dole out a ticket for them. The rest are busy chalking out their POA to defeat the official candidate. Their constituency be damned.

Every five years, it is a situation of now or never in the clamour for power. MLA added to your name sounds cool.

The man on the street making his way through filthy footpaths and potholed roads will let out a gaali or two against the leaders for doing nothing. Yet on polling day he will cast his vote again with another swear and listen to the winning candidates' names. Let out another cuss word and then forget all about it. There will be that shrug of nonchalance. Who cares anyway for us?
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So whose election is it?
The candidates and his group of die-hard followers and loyal workers?
Those in proximity to the candidates so that they can get their work done?
The builders who can obtain their NOCs?
Or the news channels who will go on an overdrive on the moods of the electorate?
Or all those who will enjoy a day at home or out on account of a holiday?

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It is for all of the above the voters are needed alright but for a purpose for the votes. The rest does not matter. Netas believe public memory is short and the electorate forgets all their misdoings and misadventures.
u00a0Democracy, isn't it? There is a price to be paid for everything, including democracy!
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After a little over five months, election time has descended again. The Parliament poll had stars coaxing you on how you must exercise your franchise. This time again there will be the 'vote zaroor do' slogan with stars flashing their inked index fingers. There is already a clamour for getting the photo voter ID cards. But will things change for the aam janata?

Will the metro lines be operational?
Will there be a little less of packed like sardines scenarios in the locals?
Will illegal constructions be stopped?
Will Mumbai finally become Shanghai?

Your guess is as good as mine!




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