Election Season in India

The elections to five Indian states have been announced and the Indian Polity at its unscrupulous best is on show as usual. This time the whole show has become all the more glamorous because of the high voltage drama the nation witnessed during deliberations on Lok Pal Bill in both the houses of parliament which showed the dubious character of all political parties of the country. It is absolutely clear that no body is interested in Lok Pal, for nobody wants to put his individual interests on the back seat for the sake of national interests.The nation expects them to be honest and sincere to the country whereas they are true to  H.L. Mencken 's most apt description of a politician “A good politician is as unthinkable as an honest burglar.” 

Everyday we hear leaders changing their parties without any feeling of guilt simply because our politicians unabashedly subscribe to the latter part of Winston Churchill's famous saying "Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of their party." While we hardly find anyone conforming to the first part of the statement, the examples of belief in the second part have come forth in plenty during Lok Pal debate. In principle all politicians and all political parties of the country agree to fighting corruption and having a strong Lok pal, but on ground the position taken is entirely different and dirty politics and fooling around of public for vote catching histronics comes to the forefront.

I do not know if the politicians all over world are as bad as the Indian one's but the description of politicians and politics by many famous people are definitely more applicable to our political class.

“Politicians are like warts on the body of society. And the only thing worse than warts are lawyers and lobbyists.
” 

― Jarod Kintz
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” 
― Napoleon Bonapart

A few classic and note worthy examples of true colours of our polity are reflected in the following:

• Uttar Pradesh chief minister has sacked some 20 plus ministers on charges of corruption after a full term of 5 years just on the eve of fresh elections.
• Every day news of a few politicians resigning from one party and joining another pours in, all because of personal principles ?
• Lok Pal war - Is it for the betterment of country or danger to the very existence of Indian Polity.

In these circumstances what should be the response of a common citizen during elections? I have no direct answer to this national quizz but definitely a small beginning must be made keeping in mind time tested observations and thought processes of universal wisdom.

“Society and political class is like a stew. If you don't stir it up every once in a while then a layer of scum floats to the top.” * ( poltical class inserted in indian context by yours truly)

― Edward Abbey
Politicians and diapers should be changed frequently and both for the same reason.  ~José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, translated from Portuguese