Seems a shame, doesn’t it? That most of us middle class types, who have benefited under successive governments, have nice roofs over our heads, are able to pass these benefits down to our children through a good education and who can afford to be optimistic about the future no matter which government comes in, should be so unengaged with the central process of democracy.
No sooner were the dates for the seven phase election announced, than the press began to run stories predicting poor voter turnout in the metropolises. You see, in Mumbai, we go to the polls on April 29, which is a Monday and oops! that’s not good, because everyone is going to treat the date as part of a long weekend. Polling day arrives on the back of a fourth Saturday, which is generally a holiday, then there’s Sunday and Monday, again a holiday, dang, even the markets are closed, and while April 30, Tuesday, is a working day, Wednesday is May 1 and it’s, you’re right, a holiday again, so one casual leave day will give us five days and you know what we can do with that!
To hell with polling, our primary duty as citizens of the world’s largest democracy. Drink in one hand, chip’n’dip in the other, it’s much easier and satisfying to expound to friends as we let our hair down in the salubrious environs of a convenient semi-hill station. Or a beach resort. Or a forest getaway. Not too far, must make sure it’s convenient to get back without getting caught in those massive traffic jams that are practically proof that there’s been a long weekend.
At first, I was mad that people’s attention had been drawn to the fact of a long polling weekend. Why give them more time to plan! But that is stupid. Mumbai has always been lazy, lethargic, indifferent, selfish and idiotic when it comes to voting. Last time, while the rest of the state was a barely decent 60 percent, the city was happily trailing along at 52.6 per cent. Still and all, this was 11 per cent higher than 2009. And the higher numbers contributed to a huge win for the current dispensation.
This time, it should be even more interesting, provided we get out and vote. There is a lot to be disgruntled about, even if millions in the same comfort zone feel that they are perfectly “gruntled” and cannot understand what the fuss is about. After all, we are not suffering job losses, our cash flow keeps us socially secure, the government is more responsive to us than earlier governments, and heck, let’s face it, when it comes to personal freedoms “ve haf vays of getting around”.
We aren’t attacked by gau rakshaks, we feel sorry for the farmer’s bleeding feet on their long marches to the fleshpots of our city, but we’re also sure that the government will do something about that, though we’re not sure what.
Yeah yeah, we’re going to vote, but no harm in making some plans. Long weekends come with an expiry date, you know, can’t sniff at this one.
So I’m through cajoling and started with threatening. Vote – or else just get out of my life. Show me that pretty dot on your finger or its permanent katti. Post a picture or get off my FB page.
Now to practice what I preach.
