Politics!

Never did it interest me. I was hardly ears when I saw white attired leaders of our country on T.V. As life happened and grew, Politics became bearable or we can say my intellect grew for it.

I was excited for my voting card application when I turned 21. Yes, 21 not 18 because that was the time I graduated and eventually, realised that I am a useless citizen to my country if I don’t have 36%5/4 number of photo Ids and 27x4/46(34%x8) number of address proofs.

Things went little over board when I came to know my ration Card is no more valid as an address proof. And I never pained myself to Google reason behind while I am always micro seconds away to Google latest Vogue trends.

Anyways, I found out here that Ration card is issued as per provisions of the essential commodities Act for obtaining food grain from a PDS shop. Since food is a basic requirement, ration card is issued to him so that he can procure food grain from PDS shop. By and large, it is issued for a period ranging between three months to five years. Once a ration card is issued, the department has no machinery or network to check if the holder or the family stay at that address or not. Such checking is never done and not possible too. Further, there it's not binding on a card holder to come personally to procure the food grain. Taking into consideration all these aspects, it will be wrong to consider the ration card as proof of address or residence.

So point is, whatever administrational changes Govt does, has a purpose. Anyways, I started this post to discuss about UP elections which are cumulating now days. Currently elephantised Mayawati rules it and has bright chances to win it again. However, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav have equally raised their stands and have increased their reach to campaign in remotest areas of UP.

But as per latest Exit Polls, Akhilesh yadav is sure winner. I remember those times when Mulayam Singh yadav was leading a triumph filled march in UP and his close connection, Kalyan Singh was my maternal side Grandfather’s friend. We used to hear a lot about him. He contested from my Mother’s hometown post Babri Mosque Demolition.

Now Babri Mosque is one other legendary topic in my family gatherings. My grand relatives always had a nonstop story for it because they themselves were there in Ayodhya, Faizabad when it took place. My grandmother was asked to be remained in jail for 3 hours because of Hindu - Muslims riots’ fear. One cannot predict if it was a proud moment for either Hindu or Muslims, but it was a real fat sad day in UP history.

Caste and Creed are two time pass of our country as far as my narrow vision goes. Also, I can say it with confidence because I have been seeing this in my own surroundings. There was a time when we were not even allowed to drink water at Muslim neighbourhood. If we had touched lower class, Clutter-collector’s wagon, mother used to sprinkle Ganges water on us followed by a bath no matter what the season it is.

Thanks to Indian economy and a reputed Rich doctor in our arena (who funded for engineering college in our district with a fat Engg. Fees of course), even Girls had an access to engineering. Although, still relatives from UP wondered why parents are spending so much on daughters. Gender discrimination is all together another story which we will touch base some other time.

So as far as UP elections are concerned, it is one big important agenda for country. This corollary I have drawn from various read. One of them is Chanakya’s Chant. Pl do read this book as it explains such a beauty about political strategies. I call it a love affair between history and modern politics. The book explains very nicely how UP elections and elected state government, plays a big role in central government foundation. Fortunately, I completed the Chanakya’s Chant before UP 2012 election and could witness a sheer relevance in desperation of every party to win UP.

Keeping politics aside, when I try to look at the general people’s living and state. I find it pitiable. I have most relatives from there and neither of them is really doing well. We suddenly develop stomach pain when we have some function to attend there. It is super disaster every time. Some glimpse you can read here and here.

The reason of super backwardness is not that we are Brahmins and higher caste. No, you can see lower classes are in much hell as well. Point is, hardly any government has put effort to move its people from ‘caste’ thingy to some other need-of-the-hour matters in life. If I wiki last two decades of UP state government, I find it has been ruled majorly by two parties: one is SP, owned by a retired wrestler Mulayam Singh Yadav with interests of Other Backward Classes. Second is SP, owned by Mayawati leader of Dalits.

Mere such selection of government represents, the only option thrown at people of UP is caste issues. Even if they want to move on from caste and creed to flourishing economy, they do not have any option. Major parties have backward classes on agenda, Congress’ pretty face Rahul Gandhi looks like hope but scam oriented stance of central government, puts fear in people’s mind. Rest partied are just unidentified objects. Just to prove, I am not talking rubbish; below is the various manifestos’ lingo for 2012 elections:

Congress- It promises reservation for socially and economically backward minorities and very backward dalits in proportion to their population.

It fucks Brahmin’s life to the core. Even if, these people gather courage to send their kids for ‘international honeymoon package’ type Engg. coaching classes, they know the outcome. It is not going to be about performance at the end of the day.

BJP- It says it will scrap 4.5 per cent reservation for minorities and will restore 27 per cent quota of the OBCs.

I have no idea what this means. When it comes to words like ‘Quota’ and ‘Reservation’, I know my kids would never be an engineer/doctor/blah-blah in future India.

BSP- No where I could find exact manifesto but some scripts are like this. Mayawati yells that “UP people’s vote is very precious and it must be protected like honour of daughters and sisters (Pl somebody tell her Rape Victim’s tally in Noida). The Congress cannot tolerate the daughter of a Dalit as chief minister. BSP had done more work in the past five years than any other government in the state since the country became independent and only BSP can ensure progress of all communities. One can judge seeing the crowds in her rally that who is going to be the winner.”

Mostly it sounds very confident but hardly anything for general people. I think people have already witnessed what crap they have selected during 2007 elections. It is like a slap on the face when they see their income tax money in the heads and tales of those elephant’s statues.

SP- Besides free education till Class 8, books would also be provided free of cost. Additionally, girls would get two sets of uniforms a year free of cost. Education would be free for girls till graduation in government or aided colleges. Hell Impressive!! Separate reservation in jobs for Muslims, considering them backwards and reservation would be on the basis of their population.

Apart from above, every party has a special item on Ayodhya-Babri Mosque issue though Court has already given verdict. Congress says it will maintain court verdict on Ayodhya while BJP is committed to the construction of Ram Temple as per their manifesto. For BSP and SP, I have no inclination left to Google what they have to say on this. FML#

All this seat-fighting exhausts one. I am sure people just want development and an adequate standard of living. Hope, who so ever is elected, at least takes lesson from churning scams across country and maintains peace, order and hope for bright future as it is a long road ahead.

PS- Pl. wiki about all names and figures in case you feel like knowing more about them.
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