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THE FREEBIE FIESTA: AN ELECTION TRADITION WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG

By P Mohan Chandran


Ever noticed how political parties in India suddenly become the equivalent of Santa Claus just before an election, promising a veritable cornucopia of freebies? Have you ever wondered where they are pulling all this bounty from, a magical hat? Well, dear reader, the answer is simpler and much more disconcerting. It's from your pocket, the honest taxpayer.


Isn't it simply fascinating how the man who grumbled about his tax burden yesterday becomes the person queuing up at the ballot box today, enamored by the shiny freebies promised by the very parties responsible for that tax burden? Such is the lure of these political ploys, promising short-term gains while conveniently brushing under the carpet the long-term liabilities that they come with.


Welcome to the political marketplace, where votes are auctioned for the highest bidder, with the currency being your hard-earned tax money. Criminal records, credentials, track records, these are merely details lost in the shine of the promised free mixer grinder or the lure of the waived loan.


Now, let's hop on to our time machine and visit our friendly neighborhood countries – Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Their economies, once vibrant and thriving, now stand teetering on the brink of collapse. The reason? The same culture of financial imprudence we're rapidly adopting. Is this the future we're aspiring to?


Consider this: our states are knee-deep in debt. From Uttar Pradesh's staggering Rs. 6 lakh crore debt to Delhi's Rs. 55,000 crore; from Punjab and Bihar's Rs. 3 lakh crore each to Kerala's and Rajasthan's whopping Rs. 3-4 lakh crore each, the list is both extensive and depressing. And let's not forget, the central government itself is saddled with an eye-watering debt of Rs. 80 lakh crores. In total, we're looking at an astronomical figure of Rs. 150 lakh crores.


Every taxpayer in our great nation has a rightful say in how their money should be utilized. The misuse of public funds for election gimmickry is not just morally reprehensible, it's a travesty of democratic ideals. Isn't it odd how the credit for these freebies is snatched by politicians, who use public funds to further their own selfish interests?


What we need, and need urgently, is a legislative deterrent. A law that bans these political parties from doling out freebies either before or after elections, and a provision to heavily penalize and de-recognize any party that flouts this rule. The recovered penalty could be redirected into public welfare activities.


As we close this sarcastic sojourn, let's ask ourselves: Are we willing to trade our long-term stability for short-term gains? Is it worth sacrificing our hard-earned money on the altar of political ambition? Will we allow our democratic system to be reduced to a marketplace? And when will we realize that there's no such thing as a free lunch, especially in politics?



Do you think public should not fall for these freebies & think long-term?

  • Yes, short-term freebies have long-term repercussions.

  • No, cash in on the short-term as the long-term is uncertain.




© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.

18062023

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