5…4…3…2…1…?

It’s not a count down. 543 seats… 21 (205 to 185 or 165 to 185) cited as the differential magic number to prove the majority. Now the President is saying her prayers. With the largest electoral process in the world coming to an end, we are looking at a tight photo finish. All we should do as citizens is, wait. Few things have made me terribly unhappy.

1) I did not (could not?) vote – Yes. Believe me, I could not vote. I could not work on any transport measure to get me to my polling booth which is 6100 feet above sea level. No justifications, but the truth is, I’m entitled to vote in the town of Coonoor, a hill station in the Nilgiri district. I could not get myself to my home town due to non-availability of tickets and the crude truth is, I had to rethink because I would be shelling almost Rs. 2,000 to go vote and return to Chennai.

I fear the fieriest…! I have not pointed my index finger to caste my vote. Can I point a finger at someone to caste my thoughts? After all, we are Indians and all we can do is write, talk and not act. I am a true Indian! If I had to reconsider my decision due to “simple financial complexity”, imagine the plight of other poor people who are relocated and cannot cast their vote. Guess what the postal ballot rule says? Postal ballot is only for “notified voters”. Anyways… No party is going to notice me once the election results are out, how can I expect to be one of the notified voters?

2) Exit Polls – I know you’ve been waiting to hear this from me, “and the media massacre continues”. I understand how crucial the post poll analysis was those days when it would take 15 odd days for the counting process to end. Now with just 3 days for the electronic machines to spit out the winner, we are contemplating the unwanted. Two media persons, few guests, the so called panelists focused on different windows and chaos is all I can see on the news channels. With the politicians being tight lipped about alliances since majority would be a ‘beg, borrow or steal deal’, why disturb them now? The media should just let the politicians rest. One more request to Pranoy. I saw a very disturbing flash on NDTV a few weeks back. It read as, “Guess the next Prime Minister and win Skoda”. You have demoralized electoral spirits. I’ve lost respect.

3) Hung parliament – The politicians are going to face a very delicate situation on the 16th when the requirement of majority would be based on this funny scenario.

- Before polls – ‘Boo’ your opponent
- During polls – ‘Sue’ your opponent
- After polls – ‘Woo’ your opponent

There can never be a single party majority ever in India. In ‘order’ to bring ‘order’, we need effective alliances. I don’t know what is ethical or unethical because all parties are open to any option. Now that’s what I call ‘secularism’.

4) Party Players Vs. Political Drama – Worst case scenario is what I see.

- UPA – Under Pressure always
- NDA – Not democratic anyday
- Third ‘Front’ – Please look ‘back’
- Fourth Front – No comments
- NCP – Now ceding Primeministership
- Jaya & Maya – Gynophobia

And the list goes on… Amidst all the pressure, the politicians aren’t left alone. Media following them from homes to homicide. What is going to be the final verdict? I am reminded of my football practice story. When I was playing for my school at the sub junior level I could not afford a football boot. Before the final match day my coach said, “This is your last chance. It’s the most important day of your life. I hope you don’t regret it. Please use a football boot. You beg, borrow or steal, but come into the field with a boot”. On the final day I bought one. Though it is a crude comparison, I wouldn’t mind the politicians begging, borrowing or stealing seats from friends and foes. But hope they don’t ‘buy’ them. If it’s going to be a hung parliament, please don’t bring cash inside the house.

Let the votes count and not the notes!