Most of us can clearly remember the first time we all voted. There was palpable excitement about getting through the -rite- of -passage, the coming of age or more vaguely a sense of belonging to a democratic nation. Whatsoever, it is an occasion that remains etched in memory for all times to come. City Express spoke to some first time voters.
Well, these first time voters from Bangalore are not just excited but are also a little apprehensive, as they are more informed and a little bit disillusioned with the present day jamboree of politics.
Prasan Navin a BSc grad student said, “I am very excited about voting for the first time.” After that initial outburst of excitement, there was a pause with a note of caution. He said, “Though I am excited about voting. I am pretty sure that I don’t want to waste my vote on some candidate, who is not worthy of my vote.”
Prasan had already done his homework. He had checked out on the affidavits of the candidates from his constituency. He said, “ Those candidates, who belong to the major parties like BJP and Congress in my constituency, there is nothing impressive about them, total non-performers. My vote is not for them.” Now he is all set to check out the credentials of the independents. Prasan has his hopes pinned on them. He said, “ I hope at least there is an independent guy who will measure up to my expectations.” Pratima R, an engineering student, though a first time voter is not ill informed, on contrary is very aware. She said, “ It feels good to finally vote, and choose your representative.” Like Prasan she also has her apprehensions. She said, “ When we look around for leaders, what do we find, we have goons and corrupt politicians with criminal records competing for positions. Where are the role models?
A discerning question, for which we sadly do not have any quick fix answers. She went on to say, “ I know lot of things have gone wrong the way, in which politics is done in India. We need leaders who lead, who are people centric. At the same time, I don’t want to loose hope.” Pratima had also checked out the candidates from her constituency. She said, “The Congress candidate had represented the constituency for close to two decades, a huge non-performer. The BJP candidate is a crorepati cum educationist who uses his political clout to build his empire. Who do we vote for?
Namami Gosh an IT professional is rather disillusioned, she said, “ It is not that I don’t have any expectations. I have my own checklist of what a politician should be and what they should be doing.” In her constituency there is water problem. She said, “ If we try to reach any of these people representatives over the phone, none of them are accessible. They have forgotten they are public servants, instead they have become so totally exclusive and kings in their own right.” Namami is convinced, if none of the candidates measure up to her expectations, she will be left with no choice but to exercise 49(o).