If you were a voter of Tamil Nadu, whom shall you vote for?

Rebel,
If you were a voter of Tamil Nadu, whom shall you vote for?

My countryman,
Though the question is seemingly simple, I need to sit back and think before I answer this question. Being a strong nationalist and democrat, I must vote. However, if that happens, I have to choose, quite unfortunately, between two devils. (or many devils). I have really no choice. Similar is the case if were in other states too. I don't see a good leader whom I can trust completely and exercise my vote for him or her. Shockingly, I don't see anyone who can proudly claim my vote in the near future.

I am not sounding an alarming bell here, but that is the fact. We can only choose between devils.
Let us come back to Tamil Nadu. If I were to exercise my vote in Tamil Nadu, I will vote for the party that would bring some kind of relief to the common masses be it in the way of freebies like TV sets or Sarees or whatever. Interestingly, I was not a fan of Karunanidhi, and I am not a fan even now. In fact, I had a little sympathy for Jayalalithaa because I though she was more 'nationlistic' than other leaders in Tamil Nadu. Over months, not years, there is change in my perception. Let me tell you why there is a sudden shift in my stance towards these two personalities.

Karunanidhi, though accused of favouring his sons or his family, looks like a genuine leader. People accuse him of favouring his family. Which politician in India can be exempted from that charge? From the first family in the country to the chief ministers in the south, everyone is accused of nepotism in one way or another. Even in Kerala, there is an allegation that Chief Minister Achuthanandan's son is interefering in political decisions. Again back to Tamil Nadu. MK Stalin, not the elder one Alagiri, appears to be a promising leader, and I will vote for him. Notwithstanding several accusations levelled against him, he is poised to lead the state to progress in the coming years. I see glimpses of several leadership qualities in Stalin. He is the best for Tamil Nadu under the prevailing conditions.

Then, the other day, I read a report belitting the freebies given to the people like free TV sets, sarees etc. Though there is a 'right' in their arguments, I don't see anything wrong in such actions.(I am a layman, not an intellectual.) The argument against the freebies is that they do not make people self-reliant. It means a state should strive to improve people's purchasing power before giving them freebies. I would agree. However, does it mean that a generation must live without these basic things before they are enable to purchase them. How long it would take to make the self-sufficient? How long it would take to improve the purchasing power of the people? Decades? Centuries? Do these intellectual mean our starving millions should live without these basic pleasures that long?

I would have supported Jaya had she stuck to her stance on many issues. However, even she modified her stand towards the LTTE when the Eealm war was raing in Sri Lanka. I don't think that sudden found love was meant to help those who were dying in the battle zones. She took a such stand because she thought it would bring her political dividents after erroneously sensing the mood of Tamil electorates. However, she was wrong. Even the staunch supporter of Prabhakran, Mr Vaiko, had to bite the dust in the polls. And now, I wonder how could she join hands with someone whom she had jailed for speaking in support of the Tigers.She has no fixed agenda.

The most important thing is you are not going to see any visible changes unless these parties work dedicatedly for the welfare of the people. The end result is we can only choose between two devils. I would definitely vote for someone who is 'more nationalistic' than others. I will vote for someone who can at least wipe the tears of our suffering countrymen. Now, you know whom I will vote for?

Regards,
Rebel

Whom shall we trust?

Rebel,
It is with great agony and anguish that I am writing this letter.  With more and more scams tumbling out of the cupboard and with more and more people getting involved, I feel let down by the corrupt system? Whom shall I trust in this country?

My countryman,

I share your agony and deep anguish. At present, corruption (material, moral and spiritual) seems to be the buzzword in our country. With media coming out with stories of deep-rooted corruption in every nook and corner of our country, it appears we will have no relief from this menace for quite some time. Also, I think this is only a tip of the iceberg. We have to expect for the worst in the coming years.

Though the corruption is prevalent all throughout our system, let us begin with the so called ‘four pillars’ of our democracy. Let us begin with the parliament. Parliament is the epitome of our democratic traditions and hopes. However, it is known to us for decades that it is occupied by individuals who run after money and power. I wonder if I can isolate a single individual who represent this nation in the parliament can boast of following our democratic and secular principles. Also, I know it is absolutely pointless to describe what our politicians are. At least at this count, we are responsible. We mean the people of this nation. We allowed them to loot our nation because we elected them. We are corrupted by caste, religious, regional and economic prejudices. Despite knowing that we are electing persons who are unfit to be elected, we pave for their misrule. We need to be more vigilant henceforth.

Then, comes the executive and they cannot be different either because they are the very people who were selected from among the parliamentarians. Be it the ruling front or the Opposition, they are all same when it comes to looting our nation. The dispute is only over the share of the booty.

And sadly, even the judiciary. Even when I was losing my faith in this system, I thought there is at least one system where I can repose my trust. And now I stand disillusioned after knowing that they are not too different from the other ‘pillars’.  With even one ex-Judicial officer coming under scanner for nepotism and for amassing wealth, I am going to hit the last nail in the coffin. There were other stories of corruption seeping into our judicial system and I am sure you might not have missed them.

Then, comes the last pillar. The Press. The recent Radia-politician-scribes nexus exposes how powerful journalists joining hands with corporate lobbyists to influence decision making at the highest level points. The circle is complete now.

Whom shall we trust in this country? I am in a fix because I can’t answer this question to your satisfaction.  The simple question is: Do you believe in yourself? I must say we can’t even trust our own shadows nowadays. I don’t see any visible change in the system in the near future either. I am not painting a gloomy picture. I am sure a day will come and the new generation will understand the unscrupulous leaders who are trying to divide our motherland on the basis of religion, region and cast. Our generation must be eternally vigilant. However, vigilance alone will not save us; we must react. The weapon is in our hands, and we must choose our leaders carefully. Sometimes, you may feel you have no option, but to elect someone with a shoddy background. Then, go for the lesser evils.

We shall overcome all these troubles one day. That is history.

Regards,
Rebel Indian