In the view of Karnataka assembly polls this month, BJP and Congress have decided to swing the polls in their favour by using the age old political gimmick of luring the voters with freebies. Karnataka voters have a lot of freebies to avail thanks to the two main political players in our country.

Consider this:Congress Election Manifesto includes-

. Providing Rs.25kg of rice at Rs.2perKg for green ration card holders.
. One colour TV set for all green card holder families.
. House for 1.5million houseless families in 5 years.
. A waiver for all Ashraya(Housing scheme for poors).
. Indira Aawas Yojna Home loans.

From BJP’s stable the freebies offered are:
. Providing Rs.25Kg rice at Rs.2 per Kg.
. Free power to farmers.
. Farm loans at 3-4% interest rate.

While it is not the first time that the parties have employed this way to garner votes. Regional parties have played this freebies card from time to time to varying effects. Even as the State Election Commission has tightened the noose on such a practice, with it having seized 30,000 watches in Chikkaballapura, 1,100 sarees in Ramangara. The onus to stop this undemocratic practice of luring voters with bribes, lies solely with the voters, and rightly so.

For in my view, it is the voter who has to decide if the freebies which is their priority or a good governance. While a short term gain may appear tempting to the common voter, it is he with whom lies the authority to choose the government. The voter has to shoulder the onerous responsibility of not undermining the worth of his vote. The voter has to be educated of his rights and responsibilities. While the election manifesto has traditionally been a tool to make big, tall promises, it is rare that a party lives upto it. Keeping the democracy alive is not just the EC’s job it is the job of a voter too. Remember in a democracy all of us have to fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our potential and the present time calls for it.

Thought for today:Voter bribery cannot make up for a good governance.