When the neta wants to meet you

For long as you know them, the khadi clad creatures on two legs are an endangered species. At least that is what they would like us to believe. They are seen only once in five years, promising to solve all your problems – and all they want in return is your vote. Once the votes have been cast and the results totted up, gone is the Neta.

Now, post elections you have to do the rounds of the Neta’s house or his office if you need a signature for a passport or have him make sure that you get your drinking water and not sewage out of your tap. But that is only you get past him chamchas and holier than thou personal and private secretaries. If you still manage this miracle, then all you may get is a nod or a grunt which can deciphered as “I will see what I can do”.

The urban middle class may find entire episode revolting, but spare a thought for the poor, shriveled slum dwellers who will find in their dozens waiting to meet the Neta, wanting the elusive ‘white’ ration card that equates them with their starving counterparts from Ethiopia or Somalia. But that is democracy for you and me, the debating class who spend all their living time lamenting on how this country has gone to the dogs. Not that dogs are having a tough time, some of them lead princely lives.

If there is one creature which has kept this country steeped in poverty and mired in misery, it is the politicians who are responsible for it. Social scientists will tell you that there is a good reason why politicians want to keep the poor in a state of suspended animation. For an educated, aware human being might use his brains and give his mandate someone who really works for them. So, during elections booze, biryani and money are distributed by the crooked politicians like there is no tomorrow. For a couple of weeks the voter is the king, and then he is in the dumps for the rest of the five years. Is there a way out?

There are some clean politicians like Loksatta’s Jayprakash Narayan, who to our genuine surprise won from the recent elections from the Kutapally assembly constituency in Hyderabad city. I for one did not fancy his chances, knowing how the slimy, crooked netas would rig the polls. But JP, true to his name like the colossus namesake who led India to its second independence movement making Congress and Indira Gandhi bite the dust . But one JP of today’s era is like a drop in the ocean. But then, they say it’s millions of these drops that make an ocean. Let us hope for the better.