Just a day to go till I get to cast my vote for the very first time. I strongly believe that you shouldn’t cast your vote for any party, rather vote for independents. I know, I know, the argument of independents then getting affiliated to one of the national parties. But I honestly believe that we should put an end to the era of Congress or BJP and let the independents have a chance. After all, what good have the Congress or BJP done? Is the third front going to make any difference? I don’t think so. Does India need a lady prime minister? I am not completely against it but since it a certain Mayawati who seems to be the only one in the fray, my answer would be a big NO.
But a question I have been asking myself these last couple of days, is if we should vote for a party or a candidate. I strongly believe that a vote should go for a candidate and not the party he/she belongs to. Many may disagree with me. Many may ask what the difference is. Because at the end of the day, the candidate is going to toe the party line if he wins. How many MPs have followed their individual principles rather than blindly following what their party stands for? For me, at the end of the day, it is the candidate who matters. I don’t care if he is from X party or Y party. He needs to be there for his constituency. He needs to make sure he doesn’t turn a blind eye to the people who actually brought him to power.
I guess in the real world, it is all a little too much to ask for.
There probably isn’t much we can do to change the party system and so on. Sure, you can go on and ask me to stand for the elections. But hey, I’m not complaining. You can say, I’m just thinking aloud. I am so happy this time round, because there is so much of participation. People are so much more aware. When I chat with friends, they talk about politics. Lazy pals are making the effort to get their voter ID card.
And this change is all for the good. I genuinely feel happy and satisfied that more people are active than being passive than I once perceived it to be. It is fulfilling to see more people, calling themselves the aam aadmi, contesting elections for their own satisfaction, and at the same time, hoping to bring about some much needed change.
For me, just having the opportunity to vote is satisfying. As much as you and I do not want to see the Congress or BJP do a five-year Oscar-awardable performance, as much as I may crib and cry later, sometimes I guess it is ok to do with what you have, and continue making a difference in your own way.
Here’s to happy and sensible voting.
Phew!!! As the argument continues on the independent candidate being acquired by big fishes, why should we waste our vote?
I did a lot of study this time to get to know for a good candidate. Unfortunately, NONE! even if the guy is good, he will be certainly acquired by BJP/Congress.
And fortunately we have an option to vote “I chose NOBODY” this time. So still thinking!!
Firstly i dont understand how voting for an independent or voting for the candidate over the party could help especially at the LOK-SABHA level. Parties & Candidates are like hand in glove these days. the work of an MP is to make laws at a national level and i don see a point where a candiate elected from a perticular constituency can make a difference to the constituency unless he/she is at a high post.
Secondly i would also like to stress about 49-O here that we must encourage voters to vote and elect a candidate. By “not choosing to vote” we leave the constituency without a leader with an excuse that no one is good. Majority of the people(young voters especially) tend to pick up such statements(as present in article 49-O)and jump to conclusions that all candidates are bad without even going through their profiles. further i also think that the media should not only highlight the negative points of a candidate but also highlight their positive aspects. this would help the general public to make an informed decision rather than just jumping to blind conclusions.