VOTE
WE MUST BUT TO SINCERE AND HONEST
persons and parties/groups which espouse noble ideals – especially
who are committed to a corruption-free, exploitation-free human welfare
oriented social democratic society. In the context of our soon-to-be-officially-divided
state of Andhra Pradesh, there is still some hope lingering that somehow this
bifurcation can be stopped or at least stalled for the time being by the Apex
Court so that at least a dignified process of equitable bifurcation, if not a
change of heart toward maintenance of unity, can be initiated. This is quite
essential in case the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014 passed in the
Parliament scuttling all democratic processes and with the sheer collusion of
the two principal corrupt political parties of the country can have any constitutional/moral
standing worth the name and the interests of common people in both the regions
are to be firmly protected and promoted. Some sort of a turning back to the
fourth option suggested by the Srikrishna Committee could be the best way-out
in this regard and the new Parliament to be convened after the completion of
the ongoing general elections can address this issue in all seriousness,
honesty and with priority to democratic ethics. As such, it would be proper for
right thinking people in our State to vote for parties like the CPM or the Jai
Samaikyandhra Party which seem to be honestly dedicated to the cause of Telugu
unity all along and are till now free from electoral corruption. But simultaneously,
the persons contesting need also to be scrutinized and in case any moral or
political, etc. lacunae felt and no candidate is deemed deserving, people have
now the option of registering their protest vote – by pressing the NOTA (None
of The Above) button. This is a very practical and useful method which in times
to come can evolve into an effective means for even countermanding any sordidly
corrupt election process and calling for fresh elections with new and better
candidates in the field. It can also pave the way for the realization, in
course, of the ‘right to recall’ of elected but unsatisfactorily or woefully/corruptly
performing representatives. So even those who are disappointed by the horrid
corruption evident in the current election process better avail this protest
vote than cynically abstain and lapse into a sort of inanimate state. §§§