Just say NOTA

It is said the “middle class” does not vote but only laments the quality of the legislators. The reason why the middle class does not vote is that there is no way we can vote out all the candidates. There must be a provision whereby the electorate can decide that none of the candidates fits the bill. This can only be done by including a NOTA (None of the above) button on the machine. Further, if NOTA gets the maximum votes, then all the candidates lose their deposits and another ballot must be held. Let this be introduced and there will be a remarkable change in the participation of the middle class and the quality of the candidates.
Another reform required is that all parties must announce their alliances before the poll, i.e. the government must be formed only on the basis of pre-poll alliances between the parties. Another point. The farmer votes because he wants to continue getting everything free from the government. The rickshaw drivers in the metros vote because they want to continue squatting on roads. The poor vote so that they get booze and blankets. A sizeable number of votes in rural constituencies is forcibly cast by criminals intimidating the voters. Let’s not call ourselves a democracy — democrazy or demofarcy is more appropriate.
But why is the media not highlighting these aspects? Is it because the real power will then move to the people and there will be little excitement left to report?
— T.R. Ramaswami, Mumbai

Case dismissed

The good, bad and ugly’ by Sagarika Ghose (IE, November 3) doesn’t make any good case in defense of politicians. President Kalam during his interactions with the MPs of various states used to ask why it is that persons from various sections of society are said to be role models of the people but nobody claims the MP of the area as his role model.

There was a time when politicians were role models of the people and were loved and respected by them but over time people have seen them transform into a self-serving lot void of genuine concern for the people. To count who was what and comes from which class of the society is futile if one is not a role model of the people. If the survey says that 75 per cent Indians loathe their politicians, they have their reasons. To say that people’s hatred for politicians and politics is a fashion is to insult the people’s intelligence and judgment.
— M.C. Joshi, On e-mail

Story continues below this ad

Only for VIPs

I would like to compliment the Andhra Pradesh government for organising the highly successful Afro Asian Games. However, I am very disappointed that most of the tickets were made available only to VIPs or government officials and not the general public. In future, I hope that at least 50 per cent of the seats will be available to the paying public.
— Kalyani, On e-mail

Congrats

Congratulations to the Indian hockey team, both men and women. Coach Rajinder Singh has done an exceptional job since he took charge. He was right to keep the media away from players.
—Amit Bhadhuri, On e-mail

Stop it!

Stop calling him ‘The Wall’! You people just overrate an ordinary batsman like Rahul Dravid. He is an awful captain who lacks guts and cannot motivate the team. He is too slow and dull and does not fit well in the ODI. Sourav, please come back so we can see the winning attitude in the team.
— Shan, On e-mail