It is election time in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (UT J-K) and campaigning to woe electors is in full swing. With their sights on securing seats in the assembly, the contesting candidates are on the go in accusing and counter accusing one another in broad daylight to garner voter support. This is what a democratic polity holds. A moot point in public circles in every constituency is: Who can win? But the big question to ask should be: Who should win and be our Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)?
It is in place to point out that several quarters assert that such and such candidate will certainly win. Why? Because he/ she is better educated and can emerge as a pro- people representative later on. This is a flawed logic on many counts. First, what is better education? Secondly, is ‘better education’ a guarantee of fair representation? True, education is imperative for the governing representatives but their performance on the ground level should be judged on its merit, not on flimsy grounds.
Certain other quarters opine that only the first timers should get victory this time to teach a ‘lesson to the old timers’. Ok, no harm with that — new comers in the assembly are likely to turn around its image and prove more progressive. But it raises some serious questions: One, how can these inexperienced new faces purely live upto the expectations of general public? Two, can their policies prove foolproof? Three, what if they indulge in feathering their own nests, leaving people high and dry?
This healthy discussion brings us to the most important point once again: Who should represent us in the new legislature? You may disagree with passion with me.
Speaking from a dispassionate perspective, it is noteworthy that no candidate in fray for now must be observed through the prism of the ideology s/he has adopted; even promises envisioned in the manifestos do not portray the real face of any candidate. It is the attitude and character on display in actuality, while in office, which should be our guiding principle in judging a representative. Chameleons are not trustworthy. And deeds speak louder than words.
In the same vein, it is needless to say that appearances are deceptive; they say that all that glitters is not gold and that handsome is one that handsome does. A voter needs to exercise her/ his franchise smartly and usefully. Not heart but head should guide the voter’s choice and that neither a candidate’s appearance nor lofty claims should impact the vote casting by electors. It is a candidate’s caliber and broadminded service to humanity — regardless of any individual’s caste, faith, status, creed, etc — which should guide a voter’s choice.
Make no mistake that an election may carry a candidate to the corridors of power but what keeps the candidate afloat in that position is his/her competence, progressive mindset and problem- solving capabilities. The sustainability of partiality and parochialism does not last long. This year’s Lok sabha polls saw several former legislators at the receiving end, compelling them to stay out of the current contest. Their exit is attributed to their mismatched values and policies in their previous terms.
It leaves a lot to be desired should we, the electors, get carried away under the influence of emotions like jealousy, anger, affection and hate while using our ballot. Instead, an elector needs to evaluate his/her decision with patience and maturity before casting the vote. In political affairs, character and objective work of a candidate do matter. Not the candidate’s looks ideology or tall claims.
I do not advocate that we should leave no scope for new blood in the arena of battle for power. In actual fact, the diversity of contesting candidates births a healthy competition among them and provides voters ample options to choose a candidate — rationally. This is twenty first century; the world has changed. So our voting behavior should portray us as open minded and accommodative humans, not as someone impulsive, parochial and unfazed.
In addition, it is a fact that the elected and the electors are interdependent. None can overlook the other. What is common knowledge is that whenever this interdependence is upset, chaos sets in leading to dismal state of affairs. This erodes the credibility of the elected representatives irrespective of their ideological leanings in the eyes of the elected.
We cannot rule out the possibility that the person — elected simply for his/ her thought line and demagoguery — could prove a crook and breech public trust while in power. Loyal representatives are thin on the ground.
In conclusion, it is hoped that the voting public will depict utmost political maturity in electing their MLA in each constituency in the upcoming polls beginning September 18. It is the leadership qualities, competence, visionary outlook, inclusive working ability and the spirit of service to humanity by a candidate that should yield a voter’s vote casting choice. Which way the wind will blow? Only time will tell; the choice is of a voter’s.
(Author is RK columnist and teacher by profession. Email: [email protected])
