Political tamasha

Political tamasha

For the man on the street, before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party came as a whiff of fresh air, something haatke from the traditional parties. The biggies and experts wrote them off. But then the unthinkable happened – they formed a government – and the people got a change they were always hoping for.
But the euphoria stayed for only 49 days. And Arvind Kejriwal again did the unthinkable for the common man – he dumped the aam aadmi for his and his party’s bigger political ambitions.
In the 49 days in power, AAP created a hullabaloo leaving the mere aam admi all the more confused. If one day they seemed to be on the right track, the next day there was something amiss. They were seemed to be always on the fast forward mode handing out ultimatums -- sometimes of 24 hours and sometimes of 15 days.
But amid all these politicking, did anyone ask the aam aadmi what they really want? While one quit responsibility in 49 days, the others are busy in blame game, scoring brownie points for the upcoming polls.
The aam aadmi want a stress-free life where they get all the basic necessities of life without too much of a hassle.
Imagine a phase when you get uninterrupted water and power without skyrocketing charges.
When we go to market for our daily needs, inflation should not pinch our pockets.
When we move out from the comfort of our homes, the public transport modes should be comfortable enough to take us to our destinations like a sailing.
When we are late in office, we do not have to think twice about our safety before venturing out in the dark.
When every child gets the same quality education, no matter from whichever economic background they belong to.
When the youth can fly high with ample opportunities in whichever field they want to outshine.
When the health care sector is taken care of and the name of the hospital does not scare us.
When smooth roads and a clean surrounding are realities.
Before going to any government office, we are cent per cent sure that our job will be done and we do not have to wait endlessly.
No, the aam aadmi is not asking for too much. So when parties claim, they represent every commoner, the aam aadmi hopes for a change. Only to find the hopes dashed.

Enough entertainment in Parliament and legislative assembly sessions

Chaotic house

If you are bored by the ubiquitous, scripted reality shows, don’t be disheartened. Our dear leaders can provide you much more -- and real -- masala. Truly, watching Parliament and Legislative assembly proceedings is now becoming a new mode of entertainment.

It’s hard to digest that these are the elected representatives who reached sacred institutions that symbolise Indian democracy with people’s trust and hope.

A glimpse at any proceeding and the first word that comes to mind is CHAOS. Almost everybody is seen shouting and screaming at the same time, vociferously trying to make their own points as nobody seems to be interested in highlighting real issues.

In reality shows where people are packed in a house for months, one expects to see the inmates plotting and planning, and even fighting, each other for publicity. But when the same is repeated in a house of people, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth and our heads hanging in shame.

The snatcher on the street or the robber lurking in the alley use knives to make their kill but here we see some MP feeling the need to take a knife to the House to demonstrate his power -- a stark reminder of the dark and lawless ages.

We have rights groups and NGOs advocating pepper spray to make women feel safer on the street, but here we see our leaders use it in Parliament with impunity to make a point.

When there is nothing in their bags, they go shirtless to be more visible.

And each time they go to the extent of coming to blows and using chairs and tables as their weapons, they stoop to a new low.

If we have the action men, there are some lazy bones who go to the house only to sleep or take a power nap. Only to be exposed when their colleague in front of them is on the mike or the camera pans on them. We cannot blame them as most politicians in our country are in their post-retirement phase.

The role of the speaker is really tough, trying desperately to bring order in the house. One cannot help but feel pity for the speaker who tries to control the class like a principal. The only difference: the class listens to the principal but our netas do not.

Cannot stop quoting Rishang Keishing, the 94-year-old MP from Manipur, the oldest serving parliamentarian in the world, who said on his last day while making a quiet exit: “Parliament now is not what it used to be. It’s only shouting and shouting.”