OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - R K NAGAR BYELECTION
Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee after their phone call after by election result of R K Nagar in Chennai. Though there were four by elections and the in the West Bengal, Sabang seat Congress which had won earlier with 56% votes lost this time with less than 10% vote, losing the Deposit, this was pushed to the background by the Tamilnadu by-election. TMC has won the WB seat. In Arunachal Pradesh in the Pakke-kessang Assembly seat and in UP in the Sikkandra assembly seat BJP has won.
Thus though the TMC has wrested the seat from Congress in WB in the by-election and BJP has won both in Arunchal Preadesh and UP in by-elections, these were pushed to the background with the result of the victory of TTV Dinakaran, close relative of Sasikala of the breakaway faction of the AIADMK who stood as an Independent with Pressure Cooker as the symbol. Obviously many households of R P Nagar had the benefit of Pressure Cooker given to them. Some even doubted what was inside the cooker.
Widespread rumours in Tamilnadu of money being given was around Rs.10000/- per voter and it appears Tamilnadu will never come out of Corruption by its leaders and people. Gopu was very furious about this aspect of people who also were for freebies for normal day to day activities and also expecting money from parties contesting elections. Some years before, people used to joke that get the money and vote as you like. But recently in all elections of Tamilnadu, it seems the highest offerer gets to win. Gopu also said that the stature of candidates we get has come drastically to a new low with people who are corrupt and expecting to be jailed for their misdemeanours being elected by people purely based on the gifts offered. Corrupt politician is certain that he would get elected by being the highest offerer to the people. There is no shame on the part of the candidate as well as the majority of the people of the constituency.
Shyam looked this at a completely different angle and said the Main Opposition party wanted to bring down the government of EPS-OPS combine by dividing the AIADMK and thus wanted mid term elections in which they can create split votes between the factions of AIADMK and win the elections. How much of the votes of DMK has thus been transferred to TTV in this arguement is not known. If it is true, the DMK has not credited themselves well as both the factions AIADMK have polled together 85% of votes leaving only 15% to DMK. It does not augur well for that party. Shyam was also very critical of the performance of the BJP, who have fielded a candidate knowing fully well they have not worked well in the constituency earlier but taking part in the elections, only to get 50% of the votes of NOTA votes. The other important factor that should be seen is that DMK was not alone and their friendly parties who supported them - Congress, Communists, TVC of Thirumavalavan and other smaller parties only to see that their share of votes dwindle further.
It is now expected there would definitely some changes in the pattern of the ruling by the EPS-OPS combine said Shyam. He said that unless they definitely work together, they cannot keep the following they had and should think that R K Nagar as an isolated incidence where their rivals have given more than them to the electorate. But only time will tell what happens to the AIADMK Party.
Shyam also told Gopu that a section of the people of Tamilandu who are against freebies and also consider both DMK and AIADMK should be voted out as they are immersed in corruption are not happy at all with the verdict of R K Nagar and like to have Presdient's rule in Tamilnadu. These people want the President rule should be for longer time and freebies should be reduced and corrupt taken up severely during this period and bring back Tamilnadu to the national stream and they also say that Tamilnadu which has lost its earlier glory in national competitive examinations should regain its supremacy in education. Will the youth of Tamilnadu caught in the web of the Maya of Tamil Cinema come out of it and bring Tamilnadu to the past glory in education, employment and development?
Gopu replied that would augur well for Tamilnadu. Gopu also said the Election Commission has not been serious about complaints of bribes to voters. Shyam felt the official machinery in Tamilnadu is corrupt and nothing can be done as of now. Both agreed to meet again.
Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee after their phone call after by election result of R K Nagar in Chennai. Though there were four by elections and the in the West Bengal, Sabang seat Congress which had won earlier with 56% votes lost this time with less than 10% vote, losing the Deposit, this was pushed to the background by the Tamilnadu by-election. TMC has won the WB seat. In Arunachal Pradesh in the Pakke-kessang Assembly seat and in UP in the Sikkandra assembly seat BJP has won.
Widespread rumours in Tamilnadu of money being given was around Rs.10000/- per voter and it appears Tamilnadu will never come out of Corruption by its leaders and people. Gopu was very furious about this aspect of people who also were for freebies for normal day to day activities and also expecting money from parties contesting elections. Some years before, people used to joke that get the money and vote as you like. But recently in all elections of Tamilnadu, it seems the highest offerer gets to win. Gopu also said that the stature of candidates we get has come drastically to a new low with people who are corrupt and expecting to be jailed for their misdemeanours being elected by people purely based on the gifts offered. Corrupt politician is certain that he would get elected by being the highest offerer to the people. There is no shame on the part of the candidate as well as the majority of the people of the constituency.
Shyam looked this at a completely different angle and said the Main Opposition party wanted to bring down the government of EPS-OPS combine by dividing the AIADMK and thus wanted mid term elections in which they can create split votes between the factions of AIADMK and win the elections. How much of the votes of DMK has thus been transferred to TTV in this arguement is not known. If it is true, the DMK has not credited themselves well as both the factions AIADMK have polled together 85% of votes leaving only 15% to DMK. It does not augur well for that party. Shyam was also very critical of the performance of the BJP, who have fielded a candidate knowing fully well they have not worked well in the constituency earlier but taking part in the elections, only to get 50% of the votes of NOTA votes. The other important factor that should be seen is that DMK was not alone and their friendly parties who supported them - Congress, Communists, TVC of Thirumavalavan and other smaller parties only to see that their share of votes dwindle further.
It is now expected there would definitely some changes in the pattern of the ruling by the EPS-OPS combine said Shyam. He said that unless they definitely work together, they cannot keep the following they had and should think that R K Nagar as an isolated incidence where their rivals have given more than them to the electorate. But only time will tell what happens to the AIADMK Party.
Shyam also told Gopu that a section of the people of Tamilandu who are against freebies and also consider both DMK and AIADMK should be voted out as they are immersed in corruption are not happy at all with the verdict of R K Nagar and like to have Presdient's rule in Tamilnadu. These people want the President rule should be for longer time and freebies should be reduced and corrupt taken up severely during this period and bring back Tamilnadu to the national stream and they also say that Tamilnadu which has lost its earlier glory in national competitive examinations should regain its supremacy in education. Will the youth of Tamilnadu caught in the web of the Maya of Tamil Cinema come out of it and bring Tamilnadu to the past glory in education, employment and development?
Gopu replied that would augur well for Tamilnadu. Gopu also said the Election Commission has not been serious about complaints of bribes to voters. Shyam felt the official machinery in Tamilnadu is corrupt and nothing can be done as of now. Both agreed to meet again.
The views of Shyam as well as Gopu are correct, partly. Prolonged President rule will not serve purpose. Rather, the present TN Govt will take this as a warning signal and worl coherently and give corruption free administration, to gain people confidence. TTV is selfish. If he mends way and work with EPS/OPS, then the trio can give a fitting fight and keep DMK out of power in next election also.
ReplyDeleteI agree that with the dispensations available EPS-OPS combine may be better. But they are also knee deep in corruption. As You had opined, they would take this as a warning signal and work for better administration, if it happens well and good. If corruption in Tamilnadu is to be reduced to a tolerable level at least, the only possibility is to keep both DMK and AiADMK out of power. alternative only President rule for that period. There too, advisors appointed for governors should be administrators of repute to bring back Tamilnadu to the mainstream of national politics where priorities of rulers change and conducive for local parties to contribute for the same.
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