The impending elections have stirred a huge clamor of opinions, pouring in from both the highbrows and the lowbrows of the society. The last few months have seen the best and worst of the factions contesting the elections. I, on the other hand, having never utilized my suffrage (and being tied up in college for my first suffrage exercise) thought it behooved me to not cast aspersions or go on a showboating expedition.
Before today, I was apathetic to the party politics, not neutral, not biased, but had shrouded myself as a keen spectator and had consequently insulated myself from the mire of politics, both in real life and on the internet. I took solace in the fact that the democracy is inherently flawed and its ineffectiveness, is a foregone conclusion, no matter who is or will be on the helm. But truth be told, I sure did felt left out from all the drama unfolding back home. Being in an alien land, I felt aloof from politics, and our state’s inert participation in the center, never really piqued by curiosity for national politics. But today I’d like to break my silence, as I put in a few words edgewise, in this already cluttered hubbub of opinions. But before I opine, few things to consider, this post is written on the assumption that the ruling party (whoever it is to be) will be functioning only to cater its selfish needs. Secondly, I am not a political scholar or an expert, my views are solely based on observation and my beliefs. Finally and most importantly, I don’t endorse any political outfit, nor do my opinions reflect that of my parents’ or anybody’s, for that matter.
We have two outfits, viz. SKM and SDF, locking horns for the contention of majority in the state assembly. And unlike the past 20 years, there is serious competition for the chair, this time around. The incumbent having enjoyed unanimous support and practiced kangaroo court (they are not to blame, here, it’s the lack of opposition) in the state assembly for the past 20 years, face a serious challenge from Mr. Golay and his SKM. Despite Mr. P.K Chamling’s repeated efforts to bury the hatchet with his protege Mr. PS Golay, the latter went on and formed his own party to dethrone the former, anyway. Many dismissed the SKM, as an offshoot of SDF, formed by a disgruntled subordinate. Some even called him a megalomaniac, but I believe the hunger for power is what makes a good leader. The Sikkimese populace mainly comprising of the unemployed repudiated the party they had voted to power for so long, and joined in the revolution to bring or see some change in governance. Eventually, even few of the happily employed and well-off people, decided to take sides, and step out from their ivory tower, just for the heck of breaking the political ennui that has amassed over the years, in Sikkim.
As the campaign got underway, with all its concomitant fervor, things took a drastic turn, when there was a flurry of unneeded violence, but, all in all, it has been a rightful celebration of democracy. In the past few weeks the churlish violence has abated and people are now gearing up for the imminent elections. And people are actually looking forward to it, for it has all the makings of a closely contested elections, which makes even a single vote, highly crucial.
But here’s the thing, elections will be over soon, results will be out in due time, but only this time, the skirmish shall ensue, or at least I hope it does. Even the stubbornest of the people have figured out by now, that even if there’s isn’t any change in the topmost level there will be an opposition, regardless of who takes charge. Whether this will be a good or a bad thing, needs to be seen, though. An opposition will ensure that no matter who won the elections, ultimately the public was the winner. In this upcoming term, every decision will pass through the fastidious eyes of the opposition which will inadvertently usher well ironed-out schemes facilitating every section of the society. The opposition should be used as the conduit to lobby the Government to issue schemes in the favor of public.
So, I believe I have made up my mind, I am neither neutral nor biased and not even apathetic anymore, but I am now a full-fledged supporter of an opposition in the assembly, be it SKM or SDF. Only thing I am apprehensive of is the innate immorality of politicians. I sincerely hope that once the Government is formed, the opposition leaders don’t covertly horse-trade themselves.
Well then, you all go ahead and voice your support for the party you believe in. I shall wait and plead allegiance to a certain party only after the elections are over, and after the results are out. And no matter how things unfold, I win, either way. And, for what it’s worth, I, a skeptic of democracy, will actually see whether it is indeed a flawed concept or not.
doomed dilettante 