These elections have, like the previous ones, seen the Election Commission going on overdrive – for the wrong reasons of course. The first indication of this is the police stopping the mango people at various places in the city, to check if they are carrying cash. The Man from Madras Musings was checked a record four times and disappointed the law. MMM’s car, was like his bank account – it did not have any cash. But the modus operandi of the checks had MMM mighty amused.
Firstly, the police force lurks under trees and mind you, MMM is not blaming them, such being the heat. They jump out at you and one of them imperiously waves you to a stop. Another records the entire proceeding on video. Officers 3 and 4 check the boot, look under seats, pat the roof of your car and ask you to open any bags that may be there. Throughout the search one man is employed only to keep apologising to you.
All this is of course nothing when compared to the Election Commission’s statute on statues. All those of a political hue have been covered in plastic winding sheets. This of course does not include the Father of the Nation (MMM wonders if he is that unwanted) but the rest are all securely trussed up. MMM for one cannot see the logic behind this but he understands from higher ups that many statues are of leaders who are associated with one party or the other and so they may unduly influence the voters. The point however is that these statues have been around for decades and even if they are covered people will know who they are given that our leaders are portrayed in standard postures. Thus the Law Giver is shown clutching a book, always in a blue suit and with one arm raised. The Older Brother when standing flashes a V while when seated reads a book. The Elder when seated is reading and when standing is leaning on a stick and making a point. Revolutionary Leader flashes the V like his Elder Brother and as for Mother, she too flashes the V. Old Uncle, now much vilified, is seen freeing a dove. These are so ingrained in our minds that shroud or not, we can recognise who they are. And so what has the EC achieved by getting them all up to look like some horror play involving Roman Senators?
And continuing on the same note, is it not then necessary for all streets bearing the names of Older Brother, Artist, Elder, Law Giver, Matinee Idol, Mother, etc to also have their signboards covered up? Or is that asking for too much? After all bus stations that carry the name of the MP whose funds enabled their construction have had all signage crossed out with pink paint. And so have walls with election graffiti.
And how then did old Central Station suddenly in the midst of all this righteousness have its name changed to Revolutionary Leader Central Station? And during the next elections will it be referred to as Ahem Ahem Central Station? Just Asking.
Law maybe an ass but knows which car to check four times. It may be Karma of too much fondness for the PM and his party ! Going through the motions seems to be norm like security check at a hotel or mall. Never mind the purpose or logic. A trained sniffer dog could do the job more objectively and sincerely. Can mere physical presence and the motions may act as a deterrent to the hardened devious minds ? As for the statute on the statues during polls, best for EC to cover up the lady with the scale balance who is already blindfolded and let every other statue bask in the bird’s poo during elections.
Should read ” Can mere physical presence and the motions, act as a deterrent for the hardened devious minds ?”