By Ankur Gupta:
In the wake of the upcoming national elections, various political scenarios have been cropping up of late. With a strong Prime Ministerial candidate in Shri Narendra Modi, the BJP is not leaving any stone unturned to restore their lost pride after 2004. Congress, on the other hand, is battling an anti incumbency wave across the country despite of all the infrastructural developments which have come up during their ten year tenure. The newest entrant on the block, the Aam Aadmi Party, is counting itself in for the big fight after a considerable success in the Delhi Assembly Polls. Not to forget the so called “Third Front”, which looks capable of coming up with a few surprises with their regional vote banks.
Experts have already pitched in by inducing an element of excitement with their political analysis and statistics. Arnab Goswami has shot into fame, and so has Ravish Kumar, with their daily prime time shows. Speculation has been on the rise ever since the Election Commission announced the exhaustive LS Poll schedule across the country. Political parties have sprung into action with less than a month to go for the nation-wide elections. Top leaders in fray are working seven days a week to woo as many voters as possible before the deadline of April 7th. It is the time when a common man attains significance, because at the end of the day, it is his vote which counts.
The big question then is – how do you decide who to vote for?
1. Vote for a party or vote for an individual?
Highly debatable as it may seem, it is indeed down to your individual perspective about what do you actually desire out of your vote. If you are majorly concerned about the progress in your constituency, do vote for the individual who you think can bring about a change in the fortunes of your particular area. On the other hand, if the current national situation bothers you more than anything, then it is for you to decide upon the political party which according to you can bring India back on the course of progress and development.
2. How do you choose an Individual among all the contesting candidates?
This question needs to be answered on the basis of your awareness about the happenings in your area. Assuming you are familiar with the developments, go for the one who has been phenomenal in bringing about the positive changes. If the individual is a sitting MP, it is highly probable that you already know of their achievements and shortfalls in the last five years. Vote for a promising new face if the current MP has failed to amuse you in their tenure. But again, it is down to your understanding of the promises.
3. How do you choose a Party among all the contesting Parties?
We have two major national alliances with around five to six national parties, and more than forty odd regional political parties. Every party has its own ideology, and this is where you, as a voter, need to think upon. Moreover, the leaders are the face of any political institution. Choose between leaders on the basis of their past records, their commitment fulfillment ratio, their agendas, their attitude, their perspective about India as a country and so on. I re-iterate that it is again your own opinion which should influence your vote. The need of the hour is to give it a thought first and then stamp your selection, even though it is very humane to get biased towards a particular outfit.
4. Selecting on the basis of your religion/caste/creed
Even in today’s modern era when we talk about inequality among all races, politicians have been trying to influence voters on the basis of religion and caste. The practice is highly detrimental and discriminative. We assume that the educated class would not heed to such efforts by politicians, but according to a survey, even a highly qualified individual favors a person of his community over the others. Unless such thought process is shunned by the electorate, selfish leaders would continue feeding on the ignorant common man. Do not let people impact your perspective on the basis of such narrow minded ideas.
5. Should you actually go with what the Media wants you to believe?
Since the last Lok Sabha elections, apart from the increase in number of voters, it is the influence of Electronic Media which has witnessed a huge escalation. Opinion Polls, expert analysis, Political debates and interviews have become a regular feature on all the major media interfaces. It would not be out of place to mention that all the media presentations cumulatively do strike the mindset of an individual. It is up to you however, if you take the strike as a gentle tap or a hammer’s blow.
6. Look at the big picture
When the whole nation goes into polling, it is our country which is at stake. Thus, think before you vote. A party which is national, and has considerably experienced administrators as its members should be clearly given an upper hand over a small party with inexperienced leaders. Your vote is totally a reflection of your own opinion. Thus, try not to get influenced by others in this aspect. As priorities for every individual varies, it is obvious that there will be a difference in outlooks as well. Nonetheless, your vote is for a better India, and this is an invariant fact.
Today, India needs us more than ever. Apart from being social responsibility as citizen, it is our fundamental duty to vote as an Indian. Remember, not voting is an inexcusable misdemeanor. A change in our country’s fate is long overdue, and this might just be the moment to witness the much awaited revolution.
Please vote. It counts