Interestingly, the sheer scale of the Indian General Elections is just one of the mesmerizing aspects of this unique narrative. As the voting season steadily approaches, one cannot help but notice how the political parties indulge in electoral theatrics. Politicians try to woo prospective voters in every possible way, only to be called out by their rivals, who are busy doing the same thing! While members of the incumbent ruling parties leave no stone unturned in painting a rosy picture of the future if they are re-elected, opposition parties spare no effort in trying to prove how electing them is the only way to redeem the nation’s ‘lapse of judgment’ five years back, and thus head towards a promising tomorrow.
Roadshows and campaign rallies are held to reach out to the common public with vague promises of a better life, thereby ironically making even a basic amenity like a swift daily commute a mammoth task for the common public. Political stage shows are held every other day that attract such large crowds that even a Rock Concert would seem modest in comparison. How many of these attendees gather organically without incentives though, is best left unsaid. For those who choose not to attend the rallies and stage shows, deafening speakers ensure the message is heard loud and clear.
While the print media and social media across the country are equally involved in their ways and means in making sure each forms an opinion about the polls, televised news channels take a step ahead and turn our living rooms into political arenas, pitting one contestant against another on live TV, more often than not, with a healthy amount of bias towards one. In the weeks leading up to election day, the general mood among the masses reeks of politics so much so that every single conversation has the potential to turn into a political debate!
At the epicenter of this chaos lies the voter, holding onto the constitutional right with full conviction. While almost being convinced that none of the political parties will ever be able to deliver on the arbitrary promises made for the sake of gaining mass support, one can't help but harbor a lingering hope for genuine change. And why not? After all, polling booths are perhaps the only ‘safe spaces’ in the world where the opinion of a modest farmer carries as much weight as that of a formidable industrialist. One could certainly argue about the significance of a single vote amidst billions of others. But this single vote in the sea of ballots is much like the secret ingredient in a special recipe – small nevertheless, but powerful enough to spice up the entire dish of democracy!
